Breaking: Cleveland-Cliffs set to layoff 600 steelworkers at Minorca, Hibbing Taconite
Approximately 340 Steelworkers at Minorca and 250 Steelworkers at HibTac will be impacted as auto industry faces challenging economics
Iron Range State Sen. Grant Hauschild said Thursday that Cleveland-Cliffs is planning to layoff 600 miners from its Minorca and Hibbing Taconite operations in northeastern Minnesota.
In a Wednesday press release, Hauschild said he was informed Cliffs that approximately 340 Steelworkers at Minorca and 250 Steelworkers at HibTac will be impacted.
The DFL senator added that Cliffs cited challenging economic conditions for the automobile industry, the company’s biggest steel customer, as the backdrop for temporary idles and layoffs.
Iron Range mines supply most of the pellets for that industry, and Hauschild was told that “temporary idles, and layoffs are necessary to re-balance working capital needs and consume excess pellet inventory produced in 2024.”
A spokesperson for Cliffs said a statement would be available shortly.
“This is difficult news for our Steelworkers, their families, and our entire Iron Range community,” Hauschild said. “Mining isn’t just an industry here — it’s our way of life … when our Steelworkers hurt, we all hurt.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.