Mesabi Metallics debuts new mining technology on Iron Range
NASHWAUK, Minn. — Mesabi Metallics have welcomed in the newest member of their mining family with a public open house.
The Komatsu 980E-5 Haul Truck, one of the largest pieces of mining equipment in the world, is just one of a number of pieces of new equipment to company is bringing to the region.
“This is a very large unit, the first on the Iron Range, of 400-ton class truck,” said Mesabi Metallics’ President Larry Sutherland. “We’re proud to engage this loading unit at our facility because it’s very safe, it’s very environmentally friendly. It has electric wheel motors, and it’s very cost effective per ton of material moved.”
The new behemoth weighs over half a million pounds while empty, reaching nearly 1.5 million pounds with a full load and, according to plans, could even become fully driverless very soon.
“We’re also looking at, in the very near future here, engaging in autonomous driving on this 400-ton class (because) they come with the computerized systems,” said Sutherland.
“They’re ready to be engaged in autonomous driving, where you won’t have a driver in the seat. It’ll all be computerized.”
The mining company also stated that the potential autonomous change is not about replacing the employee, but maximizing the equipment’s efficiency when working hours end.
For long-time Iron Range residents that have seen it all, it’s new advancements like these that help secure the future of the industry in the region.
“This is their future, for people to want move up here, this is their future,” said Hibbing native Robert Musech. “For a lot of people, they want a high paying job, and it’s a steady job year-round, and they can enjoy the outdoors. They cut everything in their back pocket.” said Musech.
Mesabi Metallics’ timeline is to complete the full facility by the summer of 2026, with some of the large mining equipment expected to be in the mine near the end of 2025.
Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment like the truck, the first new Iron Range mine in decades is out to prove that the region’s mining is bigger and better than ever.
