Cliffs to resume production at idled Northshore Mining

SILVER BAY, Minn. (AP) — Cliffs Natural Resources says it will restart production at Northshore Mining by May 15.

Northshore's taconite mine in Babbitt and processing plant in Silver Bay employ around 540 people. The company announced the temporary shutdown of the operations in November.

In its announcement of the reopening Monday, Cliffs cites increasing orders for taconite pellets, which steelmakers use in traditional blast furnace mills. The Cleveland-based company also says that, when it restarts operations at Northshore, it will also produce higher-grade iron pellets destined for more modern electric arc furnace steel mills.

Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves says unfairly traded steel imports is starting are subside, so domestic demand for pellets is approaching more normal levels.

Cliffs-operated Eveleth Taconite remains closed, as does United States Steel's Keetac plant in Keewatin.