In a statement released on Wednesday, the company noted that the facility will be the first project of its kind in the country.
Upon completion of the project, the facility is expected to provide permanent employment for approximately 200 people, while up to 2,000 workers will be involved during the construction phase. The project timeline has not yet been disclosed.
U.S. Steel stated that the investment will be integrated with pellet production from its Keetac facility in Minnesota, thereby creating a production chain extending from mining to steelmaking. The company emphasized that this structure will be directly linked to electric arc furnace (EAF) production at Big River Steel Works.
The statement also recalled that the $3 billion Big River 2 expansion project has reached full capacity production, with four electric arc furnaces currently in operation at the facility. The new DRI investment is expected to eliminate the need for external raw material transportation, providing both cost and supply advantages.
U.S. Steel CEO David B. Burritt stated that the investment further integrates the company’s production chain, saying, “This process, extending from iron ore in Minnesota to steel production in Arkansas, strengthens our fully U.S.-produced steel structure.” Burritt also noted that the partnership with Nippon Steel has accelerated the investment process.
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