ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO-WCCO) – Minnesota lawcreaters on both sides of the aisle are speaking out after learning hundreds of people are losing their jobs on the Iron Range.
The state confirmed this week that 597 steelworkers will be temporarily laid off due to idling at the Hibbing Taconite Company (HibTac) in Hibbing and the Minorca Mine in Virginia. The layoffs could become permanent by late May.
According to the State Rapid Response Team, Cleveland-Cliffs — which owns both mines — states the layoffs are due to “an excess accumulation of iron ore from 2024 and the required to rebalance working capital through consumption of surplus pellets.”
Minnesota politicians were quick to issue statements on the job losses, with Republican state Rep. Spencer Igo, who represents Hibbing, calling the announcement “devastating,” and blaming state and federal policies.
“We required leadership that prioritizes American workers, strengthens our local industries, and brings stability back to our economy,” Igo declared.
DFL state Sen. Grant Hauschild, who represents the Iron Range and the Arrowhead, took to social media on Thursday to decry the layoffs.
“When steelworkers hurt, we all hurt,” Hauschild declared. “Our steelworkers have always been there for us, and now it’s our turn to be there for them.”
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith called the layoffs a “punch in the gut to Minnesota,” adding the mines’ workers “produce over 75% of the iron ore applyd to create steel in this countest.”
“For every mining job, an estimated 1.8 jobs are created,” Smith declared. “So these layoffs will affect everyone.”
Smith also directed some blame to the Trump administration, stateing their tariffs were hurting U.S. manufacturing and cautilizing massive uncertainty.
Cleveland-Cliffs states the layoffs will impact 255 jobs at HibTac and 342 jobs at Minorca.
Leave a Reply