Latest News

STEAM Education’s Impact on the Iron Mining Industry

Posted July 3, 2024

CHISHOLM, Minn.—Kristen Vake, Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA) recently appeared on Almanac North to discuss the importance of STEM education on the iron mining industry’s future. As Minnesota’s iron mining industry celebrates 140 years of mining excellence this year, Vake noted the industry’s evolution. With artificial intelligence, advanced environmental monitoring…

U. S. Steel’s Operations in Minnesota Generated $1.8 Billion in Economic Impact

Posted December 8, 2023

United States Steel Corporation’s (“U. S. Steel”) Minnesota Ore Operations in the Mesabi Iron Range of northern Minnesota contributed $1.8 billion to the local and state economy in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), according to an economic impact report released today. The report further concludes that U. S. Steel’s economic activity supported or sustained 5,284 jobs. Facilities in this region include Minntac in Mt. Iron and Keetac in Keewatin.

Registration is now open for the 2023 Annual Dinner

Posted November 7, 2023

IMA Annual Dinner Announcement 2022

Posted February 11, 2022

The Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA) is pleased to announce that we have rescheduled our Annual Dinner for February 17, 2022. Join us for this year’s annual dinner, back in person at the brand-new Iron Trail Motors Event Center! Guest speakers include local business and regional leaders. This event is for IMA members only…

Minnesota Named a Top 5 Mining State in 2021

Posted February 9, 2022

The Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA) is pleased to announce that Minnesota has, once again, been named a top-five mining state for nonfuel mineral commodities for the year 2021 by the U.S. Geological Survey. Minnesota ranked fifth by the value of nonfuel mineral production, including iron ore and other commodities such as sand, gravel,…

Better Working Together

Posted June 3, 2021

In divisive times such as these it’s important to remember what has brought us together, what’s united us. Over the course of time, we’ve worked together to implement innovation. Most recently, we’ve worked together to make the iron mining industry more competitive globally by controlling energy costs, all the while making strategic investments to grow…

Wild Rice Standards

Posted June 2, 2021

The public comment period for the sulfate standard is currently open until June 30th. Last month, the IMA was contacted by the MPCA. The MPCA said that the EPA was requiring enforcement of the 10 mg/L sulfate standard in wild rice waters. If implemented, this outdated standard would add incredible cost and burden to the…

Mining Industry Shows Considerable Growth by 2024

Posted September 29, 2020

The University of Minnesota Duluth recently completed a study on the Economic Impacts of Ferrous and Nonferrous Mining and found that in 2019, Minnesota’s mining industry contributed more than 11,600 jobs, $1.0 billion in labor income, $2.1 billion in value-added spending, and more than $4.0 billion into the state’s economy. Study results indicate that the…

New Members Join Iron Mining Association Board

Posted December 13, 2019

The Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA) – the trade association that represents the largest industry in northeastern Minnesota, the state’s iron mines and the companies that supply goods and services to the iron mines – announced the results of its annual board elections this month at its 27th annual meeting and dinner. Incoming board…

IMA President Kelsey Johnson Talks Challenges and Successes in Minnesota’s Iron Mining Industry

Posted November 22, 2019

On Friday, November 15, IMA president, Kelsey Johnson, had the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing Minnesota’s mining industry on PBS’s Almanac North. Johnson also spoke about the industry’s vital economic and educational impact.