Hardily rejecting a last-ditch plea from Mesabi Metallics, the Minnesota Executive Council unanimously voted Thursday to award the company's former mineral leases on the Iron Range to Cleveland-Cliffs.

Led by Gov. Tim Walz, panel members said they agreed with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' reasoning behind its recommendation that Cleveland-Cliffs get the coveted leases for over 2,600 acres of state taconite mining rights.

The DNR had revoked the leases for Mesabi's delay-plagued and half-built Nashwauk taconite plant after the company missed its latest deadline in 2021. The DNR then sought new proposals for the leases.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-executive-council-awards-iron-range-mineral-leases-to-cleveland-cliffs-mesabi-metallics/600277764/