Contact: Emil Ramirez (612) 623-8045, eramirez@usw.org
(Minneapolis) – The United Steelworkers (USW) today welcomed the news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corp of Engineers will approve mine expansion at USS Minnesota Ore Operations, Minntac.
The final permit will allow Minntac to expand mine capacity as well as adding an additional 16 years of mine life. This taconite plant currently produces 15 million tons of ore for use in steel mills.
“These are good-paying, family supporting jobs that produce an essential commodity vital to steel production and manufacturing,” said Emil Ramirez, Director of USW District 11, which includes Minnesota.
“Governor Mark Dayton, Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, and Congressman Rick Nolan all deserve our thanks for working with the regulatory agencies to perform the due diligence necessary to issue the permits for this expansion,” he added.
“Not only does this provide job security to our members and the community, it will also add some 120 new jobs,” said Jon Malek, President of USW Local 1938. “It’s really terrific to have public officeholders here in Minnesota who champion hard-working American families.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries, including metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, mining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.
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