Despite challenging weather and roads, a big group of mining supporters, vendors, and producers attended the 2024 IMA annual dinner on Wednesday evening at Fortune Bay.

“It’s really about celebrating what our members have accomplished over the year,” shared IMA Executive Director Kristen Vake.

Bois Forte chairwoman Cathy Chavers welcomed the crowd, saying, “I know there are misconceptions between the tribes and the mining community. But I’m committed to addressing those. We are neighbors.”

“What we do matters in every day life,” shared incoming IMA Board Chair Lukas Klemke, from U.S. Steel.

IRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina also provided an update about the agency, which is funded through taconite production taxes.