First load of DR grade pellets leaves Keetac

A milestone moment at Keetac on Tuesday this week.

U.S. Steel shared that their team sent out the first shipment of DR grade pellets to customers. DR stands for direct reduced, and they have a higher iron content than traditional pellets.

The train left on Tuesday. But not before following the Range tradition of having a red pine in the first full rail car.

The red pine is the state tree for Minnesota, and a symbol of strength and durability of all Minnesotans.

U.S. Steel invested $150 million dollars into the DR grade pellet project.