630 employees to be laid off with idling of Hibtac, Minorca mines

More than 600 mining employees will be laid off with the idling of the Minorca mine near Virginia and partial idling of the Hibtac mine near Hibbing.

State Sen. Grant Hauschild first announced the layoffs described as temporary in a social media statement Thursday, March 20.

"This is devastating for our Steelworkers, families, and our entire Iron Range Community," Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, wrote.

"Mining isn’t just an industry here - it’s our way of life. The men and women who work in our mines are the backbone of the Range, and their hard work has built and sustained communities across MN for generations. When Steelworkers are hurt, we all hurt."

Cleveland-Cliffs confirmed the planned idling of two of its Iron Range mines, affecting 630 workers.

"These temporary idles are necessary to re-balance working capital needs and consume excess pellet inventory produced in 2024," according to the statement. " ... We remain committed to supporting our employees and communities while monitoring market conditions."

The idling is set to begin in 60 days in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN. The federal law requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide written notice at least 60 days in advance of a plant closure or mass layoff affecting 50 or more employees.

Hauschild said Minnesotans need to stand with steelworkers and their families as they navigate this uncertain time.

"I will do everything in my power to support these workers and will work with Cliffs during these tough economic times to find a path forward for restarting these mines when conditions allow," he wrote. "Our steelworkers have always been there for us, and now it’s our turn to be there for them."