Steel Mills
June Groundbreaking Ahead for Big River Steel
Written by Sandy Williams
April 19, 2014
John Correnti is moving forward with his plans for Big River Steel with groundbreaking anticipated in June.
The air permit for the mill had been challenged by neighboring steel mill Nucor, but was upheld by a Mississippi County judge in March. The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission will vote on acceptance of the permit on April 25.
“Once that’s by us,” said Correnti in a Blytheville Courier News article, “the accounting and legal firms will be satisfied that the challenges are done and they’ll continue on with all the closing documents. The German government meets on June 12 to approve the loan, and all the documentation has to be ready by then.”
Mississippi County Economic Developer Clif Chitwood said the next six weeks will be busy as final findings are made by the Corps of Engineers.
The future mill is already drawing new business to the area. Chitwood is expecting five or six larger industries to build in the area in the next ten years and a number of smaller industries, of 50 employees or less, within five years.
Blue Oak Arkansas, an e-waste recycler, is planning a $35 million facility to reclaim metals from refrigerators and cellphone circuit boards. John Correnti is executive chairman of the company.
Indigo Resources, a company out of Texas, plans to build a rail-to-barge oil terminal near Osceleo. The facility, built on 610 acres, will have approximately 16 miles of rail track and 2 million barrels of storage capacity. Up to 200 acres will be available for building by complimentary companies.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills
Steel Summit: Burritt says USS and Nippon are fast-tracking modern steelmaking
U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt told audiences at SMU's Steel Summit 2025 that the iconic American steelmaker’s partnership with Nippon Steel is fast-tracking smarter steel production.
Nucor moves to stop HRC price slide with $10/ton hike
Nucor is attempting to halt the decline in hot-rolled coil prices with the announcement of a $10-per-short-ton increase in its weekly consumer spot price on Monday.
Explosion rocks ArcelorMittal’s DR plant in Mexico
ArcelorMittal reported a "strong" explosion at the direct reduction part of its massive Lazaro Cardenas mill in Mexico.
SDI to acquire remaining stake in New Process Steel
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) announced that it has agreed to acquire the remaining 55% equity interest in New Process Steel.
North Star results improve despite buyer caution as tariffs drive prices higher
North Star BlueScope said it is optimistic that US tariffs will bolster selling prices and tighten the spread the Australia-based steel maker suffered in 2025.