Mesabi Metallics say they’ve paid off overdue taxes to Itasca County and Nashwauk

An update from Mesabi Metallics. The company reports it has paid in full all remaining overdue Itasca County and local property taxes, plus all associated penalties.

It also has paid in advance property taxes due for October 2022.

“We thank Itasca County and the City of Nashwauk for their support of our mining and pelletization project in Nashwauk and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with all local and state government agencies to bring this project to completion,” says Larry Sutherland, President and COO of Mesabi Metallics.

City of Nashwauk Mayor Calvin Saari says, “We are extremely satisfied that Mesabi Metallics has paid all their tax obligations. We are optimistic that the company will soon be able to attain an amicable agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources over mineral leases, and bring the project to completion so that well-paying construction and operations jobs can return to our region.”

Saari adds he also looks forward to hearing what comes of a study Mesabi Metallics is doing on the feasibility of a value-added 2.5 MTPA HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron) facility to be built at the Nashwauk site.

The DNR has terminated the state mineral leases at the site.

Essar broke ground on the project in 2008, but the project site has gone through starts and stop since then.