The contribution of Minnesota’s Iron Range to the region, state and nation is being celebrated in Twin Cities Business magazine and the Duluth News Tribune.

“The Iron Range – The times they are a changin’…” is a 16-page special section that tells the story of how mining has become a highly technical industry and details the success of local world-class vendors and manufacturers that produce goods and services for the region, state and nation. Development of the region’s talent pipeline and a highly-successful Iron Range customer engagement industry are also highlighted.

Produced by Twin Cities Business, the section was released May 22 in Twin Cities Business and will be released May 28 in the Duluth News Tribune.

Minnesota’s iron ore mining industry has a more than $3 billion annual impact on Minnesota’s economy and along with Iron Range manufacturers, vendors, educational institutions, and customer engagement centers plays a key role in the region’s economic well-being. Iron ore pellets produced at Iron Range mines are shipped through Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors, or by rail, to make domestic steel for the nation’s infrastructure, vehicles, appliances and more.  

The section also recognizes the Iron Range for its clean lakes, forests, outdoor recreational opportunities and quality of life that draws visitors from across the state and nation.        

Successful women in mining featured in the special section are Christine Kennedy of Iron Range Engineering, LaTisha Gietzen of PolyMet Mining, Jaime Johnson of ArcelorMittal and Tasha Niemi of Cliffs Natural Resources. 

The Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce, Laurentian Chamber of Commerce, ALLETE/Minnesota Power, Arcelor Mittal, Cliffs Natural Resources, Iron Mining Association,  Iron Range Engineering, Iron Range Tourism Bureau, Mining Minnesota, PolyMet Mining and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board supported production of the special section.