U.S. Steel to Build $1.9 Billion Direct Reduced Iron Plant at Big River Steel Works in Osceola, Arkansas

U.S. Steel announced on April 29 a $1.9 billion investment to build a new direct reduced iron (DRI) facility at Big River Steel Works in Osceola, Arkansas, which the company describes as the first of its kind in the United States.

From Minnesota ore to Arkansas steel

The facility will leverage U.S. Steel’s 2022 investment in DR-grade pellet capabilities at its Keetac plant in Minnesota, linking its mining operations directly with EAF feedstock and steel production at Big River. Locating DRI production at the site, where the more than $3 billion Big River 2 expansion is in full production with four electric arc furnaces, eliminates the need to ship DRI to the mill.

Jobs

The project is expected to support approximately 200 full-time Big River Steel Works employees and 35 full-time embedded contractor roles, and create about 2,000 construction jobs at peak. Midrex Technologies said it was selected for the plant.

David B. Burritt, President and CEO, U.S. Steel said:

“From iron ore in Minnesota to steel production in Arkansas, this $1.9 billion investment strengthens our ability to create steel that is truly mined, melted, made in America, from start to finish. Our partnership with Nippon Steel helped accelerate this investment years sooner than would have otherwise been possible.”