Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Dan Kraker
VIRGINIA, Minn.

Minn. iron ore producer 'bullish' on future

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Cliffs Natural Resources discussed the company's flagging financial results for last year but sounded an upbeat note about this year at a meeting in Virginia Wednesday morning.

Cliffs operates three taconite facilities on the Iron Range and is the country's largest producer of iron ore pellets. The company's revenues declined 11 percent last year.

Cliffs laid off about 80 workers at its Northshore mine near Babbitt and at the company's taconite plant in Silver Bay. But Cliffs executive Kelly Tompkins said the company is optimistic about 2013.

"Autos and energy right now are very positive factors for our domestic iron ore business," Cliff said. "We're bullish about what the U.S. iron ore market looks like going into 2013, very stable overall."

Tompkins also expects growing demand from China, where Cliffs' U.S. operations currently export about 10 percent of their iron ore pellets.