Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/6767c644e621bf711f66aef95ed7fbae.jpg)
Essar Steel Minnesota Suing Essar Global
Written by Sandy Williams
January 11, 2017
Essar Steel Minnesota is suing Essar Global Group for $1 billion in damages for financial misconduct related to its uncompleted iron ore-facility.
Essar Minnesota alleges that parent company Essar Global Fund failed to provide necessary operating funds and make investments needed to complete the iron ore pellet plant under construction at ESML. The motion also accuses Essar Global of overcharging its subsidiary for materials needed for construction of the plant.
The Wall Street Journal reported that “these alleged actions ‘exacerbated ESML’s cash starved financial position’ and included transferring millions of dollars to affiliated companies not working on construction of the Minnesota mine, for ‘absolutely no value’ in return.”
According to the court filing, “ESML is left with a half-completed iron ore pellet plant that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars more to finish; and ESML is burdened with over a billion dollars in claims asserted against it that are directly attributable to the Essar affiliates’ failures to fulfill their obligations with respect to the project.”
Essar Steel Minnesota entered Chapter 11 reorganization in July 2016 after the governor of Minnesota terminated the company’s mineral leases for failure to pay its debts and complete the pellet plant. Governor Dayton agreed to lease the land to Cliffs Natural Resources. A month earlier, Cliffs Natural Resources negotiated a pellet supply agreement with ArcelorMittal depriving Essar Minnesota of one of its major customers.
ESML filed a motion requesting an investigation of Cliffs for violation of antitrust laws and accused the state of refusing to extend the repayment of grant funds because of lobbying efforts by Cliffs. The Essar motion stated, “It appears that as a result of Cliffs’ lobbying efforts and communications with State officials against the ESML project, the State of Minnesota determined it would not continue to work with the Debtors to allow them the time necessary [to] complete the Project.” The court hearing is scheduled for September.
In December 2016, the Delaware bankruptcy court approved a request for the company to change its name to Mesabi Metallics.
Attorneys for Essar Steel Minnesota said, “The debtors believe that this change will support a successful reorganization.” In addition the new name, said the attorneys, would “better distinguish ESML from the other Essar affiliates” in the case against Essar Global Fund.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/sandy-williams.jpeg)
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Longs pricing trends diverge in North, South America
Most longs prices in the US were unchanged this month, except for rebar, which declined by $1.50/cwt ($30/short ton) m/m. While end-use demand is stable, inventories are well-stocked, keeping purchases limited. Domestic availability is sufficient to meet current demand, hindering the appetite for imported material. Meanwhile, prices for scrap remained under pressure in June, with […]
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor cuts plate prices by $125/ton, cites ongoing competition
Nucor Corp. announced that its plate mill group would cut prices for as-rolled, discrete, and normalized plate with the opening of its August order book.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor cuts HR price for fourth straight week
Nucor lowered its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil by another $10 per short ton (st) for the first week of July. The steelmaker said in a letter to customers on Monday that its CSP base price for the week will be $670/st for all of its sheet mills with the exception of California Steel Industries (CSI).
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Cliffs_logo2.2.png)
Cliffs sets $720/ton HR price with opening of August books
Cleveland-Cliffs on Tuesday announced its monthly hot-rolled (HR) coil price of $720 per short ton (st) with the official opening of its August order book. The rate is down from last month’s price of $800/st.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Demand weakness continues to weigh on global sheet markets
Demand has remained persistently weak across the globe for sheet steel, weighing on prices. US HR coil prices fell the furthest this week as high-volume, low-priced deals were transacted as mills looked to fill order books and competed with one another amid relative demand weakness. Meanwhile, European prices were also down due to low demand […]