Many job seekers expected at Mining Industry Day

More than 1,000 job seekers are expected at an event in Chisholm today featuring two dozen mining and mining support companies.

PolyMet Mining, a company that hopes to open a copper-nickel mine and processing facility in the region, is one of several companies that will have representatives at the Mining Industry Day. Others include Magnetation, Idea Drilling and Essar Steel.

Data from the state Department of Employment and Economic Development show employment in northeastern Minnesota's mining industry grew by about 25 percent in the past few years.

Marla Beaty, a business services representative for the state's employment office, says about 800 people attended a similar event last year.

"Most of the job seekers that are coming are ones that are trying to get into the mining industry, and not just the mining companies but those businesses that also support the mines," she said. "These are people who are welders and electricians and laborers and diesel mechanics, all kinds of skilled trades."

Officials say the mining industry will be looking to fill hundreds of jobs due to retirements in the next few years.

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