Employees Terminated at Cliffs Natural Resources

Another Hit for the American Steel Industry

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It’s another tough blow for those working on the Iron Ranges mining industry.

This time, the hatchet has dropped at Cliffs Natural Resources.

The company has cut 95 salaried positions affecting three facilities on the Iron Range and two in Michigan.

Those affected on the range are Hibbing Taconite, Northshore Mining and United Taconite.

Cliff’s global communication spokesperson told Fox 21 the 95-salaries positions were a mix of retirees, cut and role re-assignments.

Facilities like Hibbing Taconite are the ranges bread and butter.

“Certainly everyone is concerned and getting more concerned as the days go by,” said President of the Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce Lory Fedo.

Layoffs at Cliffs Natural Resource are the latest development in a downturn of the American Steel Industry.

“What it will mean in terms of how long this downturn will last? How are the companies going to be when we come out of the downturn? It’s a little nerving for everyone here,” said Fedo.

She also said the fluctuations in the mining industry are nothing new, but what makes this one stand out all the more is its widespread global influence.

“One worry is that we have a lot of miner vending companies in this community, so we’re concerned about those businesses as well because they’ll have some downturn related to the industry,” said Fedo.

State Representative Jason Metsa (DFL-Virginia) released the following statement, “Unfortunately, this is becoming familiar news. We will do everything we can to make sure the State of Minnesota is supportive of our families on the range and that they get the benefits they have earned and deserve”.