As part of the Made in America Economic tour, US Senator Ms Amy Klobuchar got a glimpse of Essar Steel's mine site near Nashwauk.

Spokespeople told the senator that the nation's first mining through steel operation is about 30% complete.

Essar Steel is currently permitted to produce 4.1 million tonnes of pellets per year. The company expects to start production in April 2012, the first quarter of 2013.

Ms Klobuchar said that "I'm just most impressed that we are staying on track because so many times you run into red tape. That's not what has happened here. The project is moving forward."

Forty five full time employees and 180 contractor employees continue to pre strip the mine, exposing iron ore formations. Foundations are being put in place for the Ag and ball mills, tailing thickeners and slurry tanks. Construction of the pellet plant warehouse is now complete.

Mr Steve Rutherford project manager said that "We are getting ramped up to start putting up steel in February 2012, late February 2012. That would be our primary crusher building, equipment shop and then working our way down the process to the concentrator and pellet plant."

Local and state agencies now need to finalize mining and air permits that will allow Essar to increase production to 7 million tonnes per year.

Mr Rutherford said that "We're hoping by the 4th quarter of 2013 we will be ramping up the curve for 7 million tonnes."

Ms Klobuchar also spoke with students in the Iron Range Engineering program at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College and toured Silicon Energy's solar panel plant in Mountain Iron while on the Iron Range.

(Sourced from www.northlandsnewscenter.com)