Story Published:
Apr 17, 2008 at 12:10 AM CST
Story Updated:
Apr 17, 2008 at 12:10 AM CST
Increasing demand for taconite is making for exciting times on the Iron Range.
Its been a long time since the Range has boomed like it is these days...and as Laura Langemo reports it was the talk of the town at the annual Mining conference at the DECC.
More than one billion tons of steel are produced each year and production grows by seven percent a year - there's no doubt there's a demand for taconite.
"There is an insatiable demand right now in China, in India, and in South America."
As this commodity boom is taking place, some steel plants such as Keetac are looking to expand.
Keetac officials are still in the process of applying for permits and hope to begin construction by the end of 2008.
"In today's market, I think an expansion like Keetac is very justified."
In order to keep up with the heavy demand, mining officials are looking at various options to increase transportation.
"They're also looking at the possibility of expanding the Soo Locks to add an additional lock that would have a greater capacity."
As the baby boomers are reaching retirement, mining officials are also becoming concerned of maintaining all of the human resources needed to sustain the demand.
"The biggest issue we have is the replacement of employees, the replacement of workers and the training of those workers."
But overall miners say they are excited about the prosperity the Iron Range is bringing to the Northland and around the world.
"We think it's going to be a robust economy on the range for a number of years to come with what's happening."
In Duluth, Laura Langemo the Northlands NewsCenter.
The mining conference began yesterday and will continue through today.
It will cover advances in productivity, quality, safety, and environmental concerns in the mining industry.
