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Where Minnesota's Iron Range, global steel markets intersect

Welcome to Keewatin
Welcome sign outside the town of Keewatin, on Highway 169.
Bob Kelleher | MPR Photo file

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Hundreds of taconite workers will likely be out of work this spring when US Steel idles its Keewatin plant in May. The plant employs 412 people.

The news follows an announcement by Grand Rapids-based Magnetation that it will close its Keewatin facility later this month. Nearly 50 people will lose their jobs when that plant shuts down.

MPR News' Tom Weber discusses what's driving these plants to shut down operations.