Essar Steel Ltd. begins construction of Minnesota iron mine

The picturesque little town of Nashwauk, Minnesota is going through some big changes. On Tuesday the first beams in what will be an Essar Steel Ltd. taconite mine and iron-ore pellet production plant where erected.

The picturesque little town of Nashwauk, Minnesota is going through some big changes.

On Tuesday the first beams in what will be an Essar Steel Ltd. taconite mine and iron-ore pellet production plant where erected.

There are currently 250 contractors in the town of nearly 1,000 people, but by the time construction of the pellet production warehouse hits full swing there could be as many as 1,200 contractors working on it.

The target to begin production of iron pellets is winter 2012.

Essar's long-term plan for the site includes construction and operation of a direct reduced iron plant and steel facility when market demand warrants it.