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Business and Economic News
The Associated Press

Keewatin Taconite plans to restart plant, bring back workers

A hand holds taconite pellets.
A hand holds taconite pellets and iron nuggets in his hand from nearby mines and plants on the eastern end of the Iron Range.
Dan Kraker | MPR News 2015

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U.S. Steel plans to bring back hundreds of workers at the Keewatin Taconite plant in northern Minnesota shut down in May due to a drop in demand for iron and steel during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Thursday.

Dan Pierce, United Steelworkers union president for Keetac, said the company plans to begin recalling union members back to the job immediately, KBJR-TV reported. About 375 employees were laid off when the plant was shuttered.

U.S. Steel officials said in a release they are encouraged by the increase in demand and believe that restarting the operation will help support its customers. The company said it anticipates filling about 400 positions as part of the restart.

Several other mines on the Iron Range also shut down. All except Keetac have since restarted.

"It's a huge relief for these guys to all be coming back to Keetac, especially before the holiday season starts," Pierce said.

The union president says employees will begin reporting to work immediately.

MPR News reporter Dan Kraker contributed to this report.