MN iron mining legacy on display at upcoming national conference

The Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA) and many of its members will be among thousands from around the world attending next week’s National Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Conference in Minneapolis.

The IMA, a trade association representing Minnesota’s iron mining industry and its supporters, is proud to be a Silver Level sponsor of the annual conference which this year takes place Feb. 25 to 28, largely at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The conference will feature an exhibit hall – where the IMA and many of its members will host booths – technical sessions, a symposium on North American iron ore, and many other events. The IMA is sponsoring several of these events, including the Mining & Exploration luncheon and the Friends of Minnesota reception, which the IMA is co-sponsoring in partnership with the Minnesota chapter of SME and Mining Minnesota.

“We are excited for this chance to showcase the past, present, and future of Minnesota iron mining with thousands of mining professionals from around the world at SME national next week in Minneapolis,” said IMA President Kelsey Johnson. “Minnesota is one of the top five mining states in the nation thanks to iron mining.”

More than 85% of iron mined in America comes from Minnesota, and a recent Homeland Security report shows Minnesota iron mining and American steelmaking support 11 million jobs nationwide.

The IMA can be found at booth #1616 at the SME Exhibit Hall.

For more than 25 years, the IMA has represented the thousands of people who work in Minnesota’s iron mines and companies across the nation that provide goods and services to the iron mining industry. The association recently expanded to include businesses, organizations, and individuals who do not work in iron mining but want to show their support for the industry, which contributes more than $3 billion to the state’s economy each year. For more information on the IMA, visit www.taconite.org

SME is a professional society (nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation) whose more than 15,000 membership represents all professionals serving the minerals industry in more than 100 countries. SME members include engineers, geologists, metallurgists, educators, students and researchers. To learn more about the upcoming national conference, visit http://www.smeannualconference.com