Local News
(2007-08-17)
PALMER, MI
(wnmu) -
Cleveland Cliffs has announced the nation's first iron nugget-producing plant will be built in the U.P. CCI will join with Kobe Steel to construct the plant at the Empire Mine in Palmer. The process will produce nuggets containing 96 percent iron, as opposed to the current pellets that contain 65 percent iron. Governor Jennifer Granholm made the announcement in palmer Thursday. On WNMU's Media Meet, the Governor said the U.P. was chosen over other sites because of the state's permitting process and new business tax, which will make the plant competitive. Granholm noted the new process will also slash the plant's energy consumption.
Officials say production at the new plant will begin in early 2010. That's good news for the Empire, which is expected to exhaust its reserves in 2009. It currently employs about 600 workers.
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