Cleveland Cliffs lays off 630 Iron Range steelworkers amid mine closures

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. plans to temporarily lay off nearly 600 workers from its Hibbing Taconite Company and Minorca Mine due to excess iron ore inventory and decreased domestic steel demand. The layoffs will begin on May 20, 2025, and could last more than six months, impacting 255 employees at Hibbing and 342 at Minorca. Minnesota lawmakers, including U.S. Senator Tina Smith and State Senator Grant Hauschild, expressed deep concern over the layoffs, stating that mining is integral to the community's economy and way of life. The company attributed the decision to the need to rebalance working capital and the effects of steel tariffs on the auto industry, which heavily relies on Minnesota's iron ore. Local leaders described the news as devastating for the affected families and the broader Iron Range community. Cleveland-Cliffs has committed to supporting its employees during this challenging period, but specifics on the duration of idling remain uncertain.