Minorca
Each year ArcelorMittal Minorca produces about 2.8 million tons of fluxed iron-bearing pellets, and mines about 18 million tons of ore, rock, and waste material called overburden. The pellets are shipped and charged into ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor’s massive No. 7 blast furnace resulting in hot, molten iron.
Examples of Environmental Excellence
Safeguarding a national symbol
In partnership with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, ArcelorMittal Minorca facilitated the careful removal and transport of an intact, unoccupied bald eagle nest located on its mining facility grounds in 2008. The nest served as an alternative nesting site for the federally protected bald eagles. The birds also have significant cultural and spiritual significance for the Native American tribe.
After the safe removal of the nest, ArcelorMittal Minorca donated it to the Bois Forte Heritage Center in nearby Tower, Minn. for use in an educational, cultural, and spiritual display for visitors and schoolchildren. The project was documented through video and photos to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in assessing the costs and risks associated with similar mitigation projects in the future.
Continuous training and development
In 2008, ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine initiated an environmental training session for all Mine employees, which will now be held on an annual basis. This training taught employees about the ArcelorMittal Environmental Policy, the state of Minnesota and U.S. federal agencies that regulate the environmental integrity of the facility and its processes. The training also reinforced the unique environmental responsibilities inherent to mining operations.