Lawmaker: Essar plans are consistent

The Hibbing Daily Tribune talked to Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township) who explains that Essar’s description of their timeline and business plan is consistent with what they told him last year when they bought the previously named Minnesota Steel project. Essentially, Essar is trying to create vertical integration in their North American operations, mining and making steel in companies they exclusively control. Though Essar is delayed by financing issues and the steel industry is weighed down by low prices, the big companies seem to be betting on a recovery a few years down the line. The full story was in Sunday’s edition.