2016
MINERALS EXTRACTION/WESTERN MARQUETTE COUNTY SECTION G
PROGRESS
Wednesday, March 30
A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE MINING JOURNAL ALSO INSIDE
PAGE 3G Water works Monitoring Eagle Mine
PAGE 4G Innovative breakfast
PAGE 6G New activities, new groups Reshaping a relic Chemical free body care
Top, workers are seen inside of the concentrator at the Tilden Mine. At right, the concentrate, consisting of 65% iron, leaves the concentrator on this conveyor for the balling drums which roll the ore into marbel sized pellets. (Journal file photo) Above, an aerial view of the Tilden Mine. (Cliffs Natural Resources photo) Below, an aerial view of the Empire Mine. (Cliffs Natural Resources photo)
PAGE 7G Something old to something new
Cliffs takes steps to rebound Officials say company in an upward trajectory despite brutal markets By LISA BOWERS Journal Ishpeming Bureau ISHPEMING — Cliffs Natural Resources is making steps to rebound from what President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said have been brutal markets for iron ore. “The historic high tonnage of foreign steel dumped into the U.S. continues to negatively impact the steel production levels of our domestic customers,” Goncalves said in a recent statement. Company officials say they are placing the corporation in an upward trajectory by continuing to leverage overall cost reduction and debt reduction. Cliffs reported a $748 million net loss in 2015 as compared to a net loss of $8.3 billion the prior year, according to Cliffs yearend earnings statement. The company sold 17.3 tons of pellets in its United States Iron Ore business in 2015. Goncalves said the company expects a slight increase of 17.5 million tons in sales in 2016, but that Cliffs expected production tonnage is 16 million tons.
Despite the reduction in pellets being produced, the per ton production cost was significantly lower in 2015 than the company expected, Goncalves said. In response to two petitions filed by six U.S. Steel companies to the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the USDOC reached an affirmative preliminary finding on Dec. 22 that corrosion-resistant steel from China, India, Italy and Korea was being “dumped” or sold in the U.S. for less than the importing country!s market value. The finding should improve domestic steel production and by extension, iron ore sales. As a result of the finding, U.S. companies or individuals purchasing corrosion resistant steel from these countries will be required to pay a cash deposit to U.S. Customs and Border Protection equal to the dumping margin found by the USDOC. Goncalves said three of the petitioners are directly connected to Cliffs. ArcelorMittal USA has 21 percent interest in the Empire Mine and 62.3 percent of the mine in Hib-
bing, Minnesota, U.S. Steel has the a minority interest of 15 percent in the Tilden Mine and owns 14.7 percent of the Hibbing Mine. AK Steel purchases iron ore pellets from Cliffs. “Our partners in the steel industry don!t mind competing against fairly traded steel. They do mind competing against unfairly traded steel,” Goncalves said. Goncalves said although he is pleased with the USITC!s decision, he expects both the steel and the iron ore markets to recover gradually. “This has already started to positively affect the order books of our clients. Domestic steel prices and demand should continue to improve for our clients,” Goncalves said. The company idled pellet production at its Northshore Mining operation in Minnesota on Dec 1. Goncalves said Northshore Mining and United Taconite will remain idled
See Cliffs
Continued on 2G
2G -— The Mining Journal, Wednesday, March 30
PROGRESS2016
Cliffs
Continued from 1G through the end of the first quarter. “With our current levels of inventory in the U.S., we will first convert that inventory into cash and then depending on customer demand we will look to bring back idled production,” Goncalves said. About 350 local workers were laid off from the end of June to the beginning of October when the Empire Mine in Ishpeming was idled. Goncalves said the company completed a very important component of Cliffs strategy on Dec. 22 when it finalized its sale of the Pinnical and Oak Grove coal mines to Seneca Coal for $268 million, marking the company!s exit from the coal industry. “We have not deviated from our strategy and in 2015 we were able to check many boxes in line with what was put in place on my first day at Cliffs, leading us to a refocused and re-energized company,” Goncalves said. Cliffs and the United Steelworkers resumed negotiations on Jan. 25 after operating under oneweek rolling extensions since Oct. 31. The original contract between Cliffs and USW expired on Oct. 1. Goncalves praised USW for its assistance in the debt reduction process. “During 2015 we had very good cooperation from the United Steelworkers as we made a difficult but necessary decisions related to our production plans to respond to evolving market conditions and fluid customer demands,” Goncalves said. Cliffs Director of Corporate Communications Patri-
GONCALVES cia Persico said one of the key pillars of the company!s strategy is debt reduction. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2015 cliffs had a net debt of $2.4 billion as compared to $2.6 billion at the same time in 2014. “During the past year, we have been very successful in reducing our debt, especially in light of the current commodity environment,” Persico said. “On Jan. 27, Cliffs announced a new offering to our bondholders, the opportunity to move up in the capital structure, by offering them new secured notes in exchange for their current holdings. By capturing the discounts available across our entire bond complex, we are looking to bring down our debt balance and reduce our cash interest expense.” Persico said the company would not pursue a target number for debt reduction. She said Cliffs will continue to take advantage of opportunities such as the present exchange to cut down as much debt as possible. Rumors about the Empire Mine!s end of life finally seem to be coming to fruition. In February 2014, Cliffs
entered into a revised commercial agreement with ArcelorMital USA Inc. to supply iron ore pellets for an additional two years, according to a Cliffs press release, the agreement ends this year. Prior to entering into this agreement, the Empire mine did not have a customer for pellet production beyond 2014 the release states. Persico said Cliffs will be operating the Empire Mine through part of 2016 and then ceasing production. “We have not determined the precise date the mine will discontinue operations. Once we make that final determination, we will announce and work with our partners, employees and the labor unions to discuss the transition plan,” Persico said. Goncalves said in an interview in January that he wants to keep the jobs that Cliffs provides in the local communities. “We do have enough iron ore to operate the Tilden Mine for years,” Goncalves said. “What we do have at the Empire mine is a pellet plant. We will keep the Empire pellet plant for a support for the Tilden iron ore if things get back to normal.” Persico said it is premature to speculate beyond the fact that the Empire will close. “We do plan to preserve the pellet plant and critical associated equipment for future optionality,” Persico said. Cliffs will be supplying its North America steel customers from its USIO operations, Persico said. Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-486-4401. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.
A grinding mill at the Tilden Mine is shown. There are a dozen electrically operated mills at the mine, each drawing roughly 5,700 horsepower. The mills are part of the huge draw of electrical power needed to process raw ore into iron ore pellets. Similar mills are also used at the Empire Mine. (Cliffs Natural Resources photos)
Ore is concentrated using magnetic separation and flotation, then rolled into marble-sized pellets, seen above. (Photography by Selena Hautamaki, Huelessflower.com)
The Mining Journal, Wednesday, March 30 — 3G
PROGRESS2016
Water works EPA dismisses enviro appeal on Eagle Mine water permit
By CHRISTIE BLECK Journal Staff Writer MARQUETTE — Save the Wild U.P. received notice of the dismissal of its petition to the Environmental Protection Agency!s Environmental Appeals Board regarding the Lundin Corp.!s Eagle Mine. The group appealed to the EAB after the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reissued a groundwater discharge permit for the mine and when EPA Region 5 failed to require a permit that would protect the Salmon Trout River. According to attorney
Michelle Halley, who also is a SWUP advisory board member, the case was dismissed because the EAB said it was the wrong place to file the appeal, not on the merits of the case. In dismissing the group!s petition, the EAB said “the board is a tribunal of limited jurisdiction” and “not the appropriate forum for considering the region!s alleged failure to act.” SWUP said the board peremptorily dismissed the petition for “lack of jurisdiction.” The petition requested “that the EPA require Ea-
gle Mine to obtain a Clean Water Act permit ... with limits sufficiently protective of the identified groundwater-surface water interface, including aquatic life, fish and wildlife dependent upon the health of freshwater springs, the Salmon Trout River and Lake Superior.” Production of copper and nickel concentrates began in September at the mine, located in Michigamme Township, and the Humboldt Mill in Humboldt Township. “The recent Environmental Appeals Board decision recognized that the Michigan Department of Envi-
ronmental Quality was the correct agency to review and issue Eagle Mine!s renewed groundwater discharge permit,” Eagle Mine spokesman Dan Blondeau said. “The MDEQ and the Environmental Protection Agency mutually agree that the proper measures were taken during the permitting process to see that the water we treat and return to the environment is protective of both surface and groundwater quality. In fact, the water we recycle back into the environment surpasses drinking water quality. “We welcome the opportunity to sit down and talk
with anyone that has questions about our operation. Better yet, we encourage community members to take a tour of both the mine and the mill to see the facilities firsthand.” SWUP President Kathleen Heideman said in a news release it!s “outrageous” the facts of its case were not considered. “Had they reviewed the content of our arguments, the merits of our appeal would have certainly prevailed,” Heideman said. “For the health of the Salmon Trout River, this situation remains critical and urgent.”
Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP interim director, said the organization is considering all appellate options. “This dismissal only brings a sense of renewed determination,” Maxwell said in a news release. “We have a strong case. We are acting to protect our communities and our water from the dangerous contamination created by sulfide mining.”
Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-2282500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.
Monitoring Eagle Mine Trout Unlimited hosts ‘Fishing After Hours’ By CHRISTIE BLECK Journal Staff Writer MARQUETTE — It remains to be seen how the Eagle Mine will affect coldwater fisheries in the area in the long run, but local anglers got an idea of its current water treatment and monitoring techniques for ground and surface water. The Fred Waara Chapter of Trout Unlimited hosted a “Fishing After Hours” program at the Landmark Inn, with Amanda Zeidler, Eagle Mine environmental compliance supervisor, and Jennifer Nutini, Eagle Mine environmental engineer, giving the presentation. Eagle Mine, located in Michigamme Township, is owned by Lundin Mining Corp., headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The mine produces nickel, copper and small amounts of other metals. Humboldt Mill, which is being used in the Eagle Mine operation, also was discussed. Zeidler and Nutini talked about technical matters such as doublepass reverse osmosis, pH meters and multimedia filtration, but audience members ultimately wanted to know what the
mine, which went into production in 2014, is doing to safeguard local wildlife. Zeidler said the mine is conducting flora and fauna monitoring surveys as well as fisheries and macroinvertebrate surveys annually, and fish tissue surveys every three years. She said it was discovered redbelly dace and brook sticklebacks made up the majority of the six fish species found in the area, which also included brook trout. “The fish tissue results indicated that copper was similar to previous surveys,” Zeidler said, “and nickel was actually a little bit less.” Baseline surveys for fish tissues were performed in 2008 and 2011, she said, and any findings resulting from current collections are compared to those surveys. Nutini said Eagle has put some effort into operating road crossings over rivers and ensuring roadways are reducing sediment loads to waters. There was also a concern over vibrations affecting fish, Nutini said, and a monitoring program put in has shown few vibrations.
Transparency is one way mitigation risks are handled, Zeidler said. The community monitoring program, she noted, involves third-party monitoring by the Superior Watershed Partnership, which comes on site to collect samples and perform additional monitoring outside the mine!s permit limits. Information from these activities is provided on the SWP website at superiorwatersheds.org. Data on its website is available for the public to view at anytime, she said. “The goal was that it was a way for the community to trust that our data was correct,” Zeidler said, “and a way for the community to put out — you know, if they had concerns or they had ideas for monitoring, to contact them and to get that information and ideas put into motion.” Eagle Mine is expected to have a life span of eight years. However, concern was expressed at the presentation on the possible long-term aftereffects following the mine!s closure. “We!re actually required to continue monitoring for 20 years after closure,”
Zeidler said. “The water treatment plant has to stay in place at least five years or more, if necessary, to treat the water from the underground.” Kathleen Heideman, a Trout Unlimited member and president of the local environmental group Save the Wild U.P., elaborated on her concerns after the program, particPeter Sabee, president of the Marquette-based North Jackularly regarding surface son Co., participates in stream gaging on the Yellow Dog Rivwater and springs — and er. (Photo courtesy of North Jackson Co.) the aquatic life found “They don!t have to mine activity. there. “Thus far, we have not People as “big organ- worry about it because isms,” she pointed out, it!s outside of their fence seen any evidence of impairment to the fishery in can tolerate consumption line,” Heideman said. Jim Cantrill, president that area due to this operof heavy metals more of TU!s Fred Waara ation,” Cantrill said, althan fish, for example. “It!ll be, just at this point, Chapter, said he was though he acknowledged waiting for the harm that satisfied with Zeidler there might be some road takes place,” Heideman and Nutini!s presenta- crossing runoff that would require mitigation. tion. said. “I think they are recepShe also was worried Christie Bleck can be about water being dis- tive to people!s ideas,” reached at 906-228pensed to rivers amid the Cantrill said. He also indicated he 2500, ext. 250. Her email lack of groundwater monitoring wells in some out- isn!t worried yet about address is cbleck@minconsequences from ingjournal.net. lying areas.
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4G — The Mining Journal, Wednesday, March 30
PROGRESS2016
Innovative breakfast Top Eagle Mine, UP Health System-Marquette, SmartZone officials welcomed
Amy Clickner, chief executive officer of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, left, gives Stormy Kromer hats to three new top administrators of local organizations during a welcome event at the Landmark Inn recently. The LSCP hosted the event to welcome, from left, Peter Richardson, general manager of Eagle Mine, Trent Crable, CEO of UP Health System-Marquette and Ray Johnson, CEO of Innovate Marquette, the city!s satellite SmartZone. (Journal photo by Ryan Jarvi)
By RYAN JARVI Journal Staff Writer MARQUETTE — The Lake Superior Community Partnership hosted a breakfast Nov. 23, at the Landmark Inn to welcome to the area new top administrators at the Eagle Mine, Innovate Marquette and UP Health System-Marquette. A native of Sweden, Peter Richardson moved to Marquette about three months ago to take the reins of the Eagle Mine as its new general manager. Richardson said Eagle Mine recently celebrated one year of production and is continuing exploration of a new mineral deposit discovered near the mine site, but the declining price of nickel has slightly impacted opera-
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tions. “It went below $4 for the first time in 10, 15 years,” he said. “Just this year it went down 42 percent ... So we!re doing the same thing everybody else is doing; looking for productivity increases, cost savings.” Innovate Marquette, the city!s satellite SmartZone, has set up a physical office in room 2301B in the University Center on Northern Michigan University!s campus. Ray Johnson, who was recently selected as the SmartZone!s new CEO, has more than 20 years of high-tech industry experience and most recently served as CEO of Urban Electric Power, a technology start-up business. “We!re looking for entrepreneurs ... and innovative ideas that we can help bring along, build, launch, scale and create
jobs in our community,” Johnson said. “So that!s our fundamental focus; is the creation of new jobs in a tech sector, which is broadly defined.” Trent Crable has taken over as CEO of UP Health System-Marquette as the company looks to begin constructing a new hospital complex next spring. “We!re very cognizant of our role in the community and we want this community to thrive and to grow and I think the impact of the new hospital will probably surprise everybody,” Crable said. Crable has more than 30 years of health care experience and most recently served as CEO for Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio. Ryan Jarvi can be reached at 906-2282500, ext. 242. His email address is rjarvi@miningjournal.net.
PROGRESS2016
The Mining Journal, Wednesday, March 30 — 5G
6G — The Mining Journal, Wednesday, March 30
PROGRESS2016
New activities, new groups
YMCA West End continues to grow
By RYAN STIEG Journal Staff Writer NEGAUNEE — The YMCA of Marquette County continues to expand its programs around the county, not just at its main location in the city of Marquette. The YMCA West End facility has added new activities and groups at its locations. One of the more popular ones has been Moving for Better Balance, which is also offered in Marquette, according to Senior West End program leader Rachel Berglund. “We just started it this session,” she said. “It!s an evidence-based falls prevention program. It!s typically for older adults and it!s basically some modified Tai Chi. That one has been a lot of fun. We!ve actually been able to convince some guys to go to the class. It!s a bit of a challenge to get men to participate in a group-like class. It!s been well received for sure.” Another new one is a club for school-aged kids and preteens that gives them an opportunity to interact with other kids and be active at the same time. “It doesn!t have a title yet because I want the kids to come up with a name for it,” Berglund said in late February. “It!s a new kids club and we!re really trying to expand our programming
Reshaping a relic Renovations in store for Gossard Building Now the Pioneer Mall, the H.W. Gossard factory opened in 1920 and became the second largest employer in Ishpeming. (Photo from the collection of the Marquette County History Museum, graphic enhancement by Selena Hautamaki)
Participants of the mentoring program at the YMCA of Marquette County pose for a photo. (Photos courtesy of YMCA of Marquette County)
for kids that are on a drop-in basis that are too old for our little toddler area, but not old enough to use equipment. “It!s growing slowly, but I foresee it developing and we hope to get it to the point where we have something going on for kids each night of the week. Right now, we!re using some health and well-being interns from Northern to help us get it off the ground. “This is our second week so we!re getting the word out about it. The kiddos who have come have really had a blast and that!s good to see.” Berglund also said that the YMCA isn!t just about sports and youth activities anymore and
they have a wide variety of things to offer to customers. “A lot of what we!re doing across the board is beyond what people typically think what the YMCA does,” she said. “We!re not just doing sports and swimming. “We!re doing a lot of things that are specific to age and maybe more on the art side of things. A lot of our support programs aren!t well known, so we!re trying to get word out about them. We also want people to know that it!s a great place to volunteer and give back.” Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-2282500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.
By RYAN STIEG Journal Sports Writer ISHPEMING — It!s been an interesting year for the historic Gossard Building located in downtown Ishpeming. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places and it also is going through some renovations, according to a February story in The Mining Journal. The Gossard was named to the National Register after being nominated by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Originally a department store until the early 1920s, it later became the H.H. Gossard Corset Factory for corset and bras. It was at one point the leading employer in Ishpeming. What made it famous was a strike in 1949
during which workers, who were represented by the International Ladies Garment Workers, walked out over disputes with the business. During the strike, police arrested picketers and it was settled after the company agreed to a wage hike and union shop. As if that wasn!t interesting enough, a September Mining Journal story said that exterior renovations are occurring on the building thanks to a $220,000 Michigan Economic Development Corp. facade grant. The rest of the $300,000 project was completed by building owner Paul Arsenault and his wife, Sandy. The building also contains an H.W. Gossard tribute wall, which honors the more than 900 men and women who
worked at the factory. The wall was revealed during a week-long renovation celebration in September that also included a showing of the play “Revolutionary Brassieres,” which depicts the lives of the Gossard factory workers, a ribbon-cutting and coffee socials. The Greater IshpemingNegaunee Area Chamber of Commerce and the Arsenaults also held a Business After Hours event one night and the Ishpeming Area Historical Society also held special hours for two days. Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-2282500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.
Chemical free body care Natural Escapes offers products with a personal touch
G
tract of honeysuckle and radish root is a good enough preservative to keep microbials out of the products,” Ellis said. Ellis said she believes in nourishing your skin because it is your first line of defense.
“From 2004 to present day just in the Upper Peninsula working as a nurse I have seen skin conditions skyrocket, like ecsema and rashes. I
See Natural
Continued on 7G
TE IN HER To Get Out There
E
By LISA BOWERS Journal Ishpeming Bureau ISHPEMING — Natural Escapes in downtown Ishpeming opened in July to offer chemical free body care with a very personal touch. Donna Ellis owns the shop and makes all of the products she sells in the store on site. The store sells a wide range of USDA Credited Certified Organic quality products like lip balm, lotions, bath fizzies and soaps and perfume spritzes made from natural ingredients, plants and minerals rather than chemicals. “We make every single thing,” Ellis said “All of our fragrances come from essential oils and natural ingredients. Everything in here is actually edible, you could eat it, they are that safe.” Ellis said the products in her store differs in important ways from the items you might find at Walmart. “The lotion is thicker, it lasts longer. I don't use anything to thin it out or make it less than what it is, so it tends to last for a long time,” Ellis said. The fragrances in the products are not heavy or overwhelming, Ellis said. “Because I use essential oils the products do have a fragrance, but it is not overpowering,” Ellis said. Ellis said any preservative she does use is ecocertified for organic products. “Believe it or not, ex-
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The Mining Journal, Wednesday, March 30 — 7G
PROGRESS2016
Something old to something new
An overhead view of the proposed conceptual design for the Sundberg Building Adaptive Reuse Project. The image is part of a virtual tour unveiled by Designer Mike Lempinen at a press conference Tuesday. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)
Sundberg building gets a new look
By RYAN STIEG Journal Staff Writer NEGAUNEE — The times are a changin! for the historic Sundberg Building in Negaunee. Thanks to a $5,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and $5,000 from building owners Jim and Ann Kantola, the Sundberg will be reused with a new design. Renovation project volunteer Vikki Kulju said that the owners began to move forward with the redevelopment of the property last summer and the
Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation applied for the grant on behalf of the owners with the National Trust for Historic Preservation on Oct. 1. The grant was awarded Dec. 1 and the funding will be used to develop an adaptive reuse plan and preliminary construction numbers. Kulju said this is the first stage of the redevelopment project. Kulju said that John Larson and Mike Lempinen were hired to develop a renovation
plan, and after completing it, the owners have asked them to prepare schematic designs and construction drawings. She also said that the city of Negaunee has been working on a master plan with Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development for the last 12 to 18 months and a community forum was also held to get feedback for uses. Some of the feedback was family dining, a coffee shop with internet, a brew pub and general retail and offices.
Kulju said that they are hoping construction will take place this fall, but how long it will take depends on the final construction drawings. The walls must be stabilized for sure, but to what extent is not known yet. When asked why the renovations are occurring, Kulju said that they want to preserve the building because it!s an important part of history. “The building is historically significant and architecturally significant,” she said. “Once it!s gone, we will never get that
back. “It!s about so much more than saving a building. It!s about saving our history, preserving our culture, honoring our forefathers who labored to build it and remember the stories contained in its walls.” In a Mining Journal story from February, Lempinen offered some similar thoughts. “We want to respect the fact that it is a ruin, but embrace the ruin and incorporate it into the new concept,” he said. “There will be some outdoor
spaces where you will be able to stand within the ruin itself and look at the previous building.” In that same story, Lempinen also said that the design allows the front of the building to remain a two-story structure and the rear will have an outdoor patio that will exist in the ruins. The second floor of the rear will not be rebuilt.
Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-2282500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.
Natural
Continued from 6G personally believe that it!s the things that we don't think about. Your skin is a filter, it filters everything you come into contact with,” Ellis said. The idea for making skin care products stemmed from Ellis' experience as a nurse. “All of these things can be used around extremely ill patients, because that's where all of this began. I have really sensitive hands and washing my hands a thousand times a day they would get dry, cracked and bleed, and hospitals are very sensitive about what you use,” Ellis said. Ellis said she learned about making her own soaps and skin care products in her childhood from her grandmother. “My grandmother came from a very rural background, so they did not have the money to get Tide and this and that, so she just made
everything herself. And this is what she, and I used to do all summer long,” Ellis said. Ellis said she believes that good business is more than producing a quality product. “I try to get everything local, every bottle, every cap, every label everything in here is either local or U.S. made. There is nothing from outside of the United States. I figure if I am going to put someone to work, it is going to be American first,” Ellis said. The bottles that Ellis uses are 20 percent recycled plastic. “I try to do the right thing all the way around, we are also a member of USA Cares because we want to honor our veterans,” Ellis said. Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-4864401. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.
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Above, the storefront of Natural Escapes located in downtown Ishpeming. Below, Natural Escapes owner Donna Ellison shows off one of the many body care products she makes herself from all natural eco-friendly ingredients at the store in downtown Ishpeming. (Journal photos by Lisa Bowers)
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8G — The Mining Journal, Wednesday, March 30
PROGRESS2016
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