Rail service delays are hurting iron mining

Taconite facilities on the Iron Range currently have more than 2 million tons of pellets stockpiled as a result of poor rail service. The Iron Ore Alliance is grateful for the support of the Minnesota lawmakers who are calling on railroad companies to address the ongoing delays so that taconite producers can get iron ore to steel mills in a timely manner. We are especially appreciative of the ongoing support from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who recently submitted testimony about this issue at a joint Minnesota Senate and House hearing. Below is an excerpt from Senator Klobuchar’s testimony. Click here to read her full testimony.

These disruptions not only affect operations at these mining companies, but also at the steel mills further down the Great Lakes that rely on taconite pellets to feed their furnaces. There is a finite shipping season on the Great Lakes which will close for shipping for the winter in just a few months, so it’s critical that railroad companies address these backlogs.

–          U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, 9/30/14