Photos: The making of a taconite mine
Cranes and construction workers continued to work on the secondary crusher Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the site of Essar Steel near Nashwauk, Minn.
Derek Montgomery | For MPR News
Minnesota's first modern taconite operation is nearing completion.
While leaders of India-based Essar say there will be plenty to celebrate, Iron Range leaders hope the health of the ore industry rebounds. The region is hungry for the plant's 350 full-time jobs and high wages.
For now, some 300 workers are building several huge steel structures. The number of construction workers is expected to more than double come summer.
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