Magnetation begins to take delivery of unit trains for iron-ore concentrate moves

Magnetation L.L.C. earlier this week marked the arrival of the first of six new unit trains that are being manufactured to move iron ore concentrate to the company's pellet plant that's under construction in Reynolds, Ind.

The concentrate will be loaded at a load-out terminal just east of Grand Rapids, Minn., before departing for the pellet plant, which is slated to launch operations sometime in the year's second half. After construction is completed at the plant — which will feature a six-layer loop and more than 64,000 feet of track — rail service will be provided by CSX Transportation and the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway.

To supply the pellet plant with concentrate, Magnetation is building a 2 million-tons-per-year iron ore beneficiation plant near Grand Rapids that's scheduled to begin operating in early 2015.

"This inaugural shipment of concentrate to our pellet plant marks a significant milestone in our company's history,” said Magnetation President and Chief Operating Officer Matt Lehtinen in a press release. "We celebrate the beginning of a new era of iron ore production, jobs and economic activity for our operations."

A joint venture between Magnetation Inc. and AK Steel Corp., Magnetation L.L.C. reclaims iron ore concentrate from previously abandoned iron ore waste stockpiles and tailings basins. The company owns and operates two reclamation plants in Keewatin and Bovey, Minn.