Steel Mills

U.S. Steel Planning Full Idle of Keetac Taconite Plant
Written by Sandy Williams
September 26, 2015
US Steel is planning a full idle of the Keetac taconite plant in Keewatin, Minn. WARN notices have been issued to workers and the layoffs could commence on or after Oct. 11.
Keetac was idled In May, laying off 412 workers, but about half of those were recalled last month for repair work. A spokesperson for US Steel said the full idling of the facility will affect the current 210 workers and could last as long as six months.
US Steel cited low iron ore prices and continued dumping of steel into the US as reasons for the temporary shutdown of the facility.
“This WARN notice is related to the global market challenges in the steel industry,” said spokesperson Courtney Boone. “We throughout the year have had to adjust operations up and down related to market conditions and we continue to do so.”
Since March, 1,452 temporary layoffs have affected Iron Range workers at U.S. Steel, Cliffs Natural Resources, Mesabi Nugget and Magnetation.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills

Hybar lowers output forecast, owning up to EAF startup delay
Hybar LLC’s rebar mill in Osceola, Ark., is now melting scrap and will soon be fulfilling orders, according to CEO David Stickler, despite a six-to-eight-week delay caused by commissioning the world’s first Aura electrical system.

Steel Dynamics guides to more metal, more money in Q3
Steel Dynamics Inc. is bullish heading into the close of the third quarter, with all three of its operating segments tracking higher.

AHMSA opens doors to potential buyers as $1.3B asset auction nears
AHMSA is opening its doors to potential buyers to tour its steel plant and mining operations in northern Mexico in preparation for the next stage of its bankruptcy process: the auction of its assets.

USW seeks clarity on USS plans for Granite City Works
The United Steelworkers union has asked U.S. Steel to elaborate on its Granite City Works plans following reports that the steelmaker is ending processing at the facility.

Nucor maintains plate prices, opens October order book
Nucor aims to keep plate prices flat for a seventh straight month with the opening of its October order book.