Get the Facts on North American Iron

Project Legacy: North American Iron

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Project Legacy?
A: Project Legacy, through the two affiliated companies - Calumet Reclamation Company (CRC) and North American Iron (NA) - will reclaim historic iron resources in Minnesota and transforms them into premium pig iron in North Dakota, creating a fully U.S. domestic steel supply chain that supports jobs, economic development, land reclamation, and American industrial growth for generations.

Q: Who is Calumet Reclamation Company?
A: Calumet Reclamation Company (CRC) will reclaim legacy iron ore stockpiles and tailings along the historic iron range in Minnesota, concentrating it further for direct end-to-end rail shipping from Calumet, MN to Minot, ND for processing into pig iron.

Q: Who is North American Iron (NAI)?
A: North American Iron (NAI) is focused on building a sustainable future for the American steel industry, using the reclaimed legacy iron ore and stockpiles from the iron range in Minnesota and manufacturing it into premium pig iron in Minot, North Dakota.

Q: What is pig iron?
A: Pig Iron is the critical feedstock for American steel manufacturing to make premium steel products, such as bridges, planes and submarines. Today, 100% of pig iron is imported into the U.S. Project Legacy change that by processing iron ore and transform it into premium pig iron to sell to the U.S. steel manufacturing industry. The name comes from the old casting process. Molten iron was poured into a central channel with smaller molds branching off, which looked like piglets nursing from a sow.

Q: What role does it play in steel production?
A: You can't make steel without iron feedstock. In the US today: 20% of our steel comes from Minnesota iron ore — traditional iron range production to the blast furnaces of the Southern Great Lakes. 80% of our steel is made from a blend of scrap metal (~80%) and iron ore products (~20%). The iron in our scrap-based steel is 100% imported — from Russia, China, Brazil and other countries. We have not had a domestic source in the U.S. since the beginning of our scrapbased steel making in the early 1980s. North American Iron will produce pig iron right here in Minot — giving American steelmakers a domestic, reliable source and reducing our dependence on foreign adversaries.

Q: How long has this project been underway?
A: The idea behind Project Legacy dates back nearly two decades. While the vision remained consistent, the combination of proven resources, changing market conditions, growing demand for domestic steelmaking materials, and an experienced team created the opportunity to move the project forward at an accelerated pace from 2020 to today.

Q: Where is this proposed facility in North Dakota?
A: North American Iron anticipates locating its pig iron facility in northeast Minot, approximately two to three miles east-northeast of the Minot International Airport.

Q: How soon will it be completed?
A: The current timeline calls for construction to begin in 2027, following the successful obtainment of construction financing. It is anticipated that it will take roughly three years to complete, with a potential open date in late 2029, or early 2030.

Q: How many employees are needed and where are you going to get that staff?
A: The pig iron production facility is being set up to run three shifts of employees, operating 24/7/365. Approximately 650 full-time employees will be needed. For context, there are nearly 400,000 U.S. employees in the metal manufacturing industry. The workforce recruitment program for this plant will likely include recruiting some of those out-of-state employees to move to Minot. Other employees could come from within the region, including separating/retiring Airmen from the Minot Air Force Base and graduates of bachelor and associate degree programs within Minot and across the state.

Q: Is the process of producing pig iron dangerous?
A: The highest levels of safety standards associated with the steel industry and steel production will be in place at this new facility. Based on those standards and the design of the operation, we do not anticipate any increase in danger levels compared to similar manufacturing and production jobs in the region.

Q: How does this impact the environment and our air quality in Minot?
A: There should be no negative impact on the air quality in Minot as a result of this facility. Part of the review process for permits (underway in 2026) includes permitting through the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Engineering consultants and management staff with North American Iron are dedicated to meeting or exceeding all environmental regulations laid out for a project of this nature and size.

Q: What pollutants or contaminants will this facility produce?
A: There are no anticipated pollutants or contaminants associated with this facility. Utilizing hydrogen in lieu of coking coal, the primary discharge from the process is oxygen. Other co-products from the pig iron production are anticipated to be sold as aggregate (i.e. rock used in roads or concrete) for construction projects and soil beneficiation products that can be valuable to area and statewide farmers.

Q: North American Iron's plan calls for using a lot of natural gas. Where are they going to get that from?
A: The natural gas that is needed to run the pig iron production facility will be sourced out of the Bakken oil field in western North Dakota. The amount of Bakken natural gas that is anticipated for the facility is about 6–8 percent of the state’s current natural gas production.

Q: How much water will this project use? Does Minot have enough water capacity for it?
A: The current water need for this project is an estimated 4 to 5 million gallons of water a day. In working with the City of Minot, the early design has North American Iron sourcing and paying for Minot’s wastewater (or grey water) that is currently flowing through a lagoon system on the east side of town prior to being legally discharged into the Mouse River. This adaptive reuse of water will significantly minimize the environmental impact of needing millions of gallons a day and allow for the sale of a product (the city’s treated wastewater) that is currently of no value to the city.

Q: Will the facility create noise pollution for those who live nearby?
A: It is anticipated that the noise levels associated with the project will be similar to other industrial facilities in the eastern part of Minot, including those of railcar loading and unloading. Outside of railcar-related noises, the remaining production of pig iron will occur inside closed facilities. Noise levels will be typical of a heavy industrial park.

Q: How much energy/electricity is needed to run this facility? And where will that power come from?
A: North American Iron is planning to use 250,000 dekatherms (250,000 Mcf) per day of Bakken natural gas. North American Iron has an agreement with WBI Energy, which will build and operate the Minot Industrial Pipeline, a direct 90 mile line from Tioga to Minot with enough capacity for North American Iron’s needs. The natural gas will be used to power a separate, off-the-grid power plant, and a portion of the hydrogen found in the natural gas will be used in the chemical process to create iron. Having close access to this natural resource in North Dakota is one of the primary reasons that Minot was selected for this production facility.

Q: How does this help our economy?
A: A thriving economy in a community of Minot’s size benefits from having a diverse mix of industries. Relying too heavily on just a few sectors, like agriculture or oil and gas, can create challenges when those industries have slower years. Introducing a new, steady industry to our city and region will help our economy weather commodity-based sector fluctuations.

The project represents a major long-term investment in our regional and national economy. Preliminary economic assessment indicates the project is expected to generate approximately $7 billion in total U.S. economic output during construction, supporting more than 22,000 job-years nationwide. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate roughly $1.1 billion in economic output annually, with 650 jobs at the facility and support thousands of ongoing jobs across the country.

At the local level, this means new high-quality jobs, increased demand for local businesses and entrepreneurs, and long term economic diversification—helping build a more stable, resilient economy for the region for decades to come.

Q: Why was Minot selected for this facility?
A: Minot offers a unique combination of advantages: access to low-cost natural gas, strong rail connectivity to Minnesota resources, supportive infrastructure, and a pro-business environment—making it one of the most competitive locations in North America for clean industrial development.

Q: Why is this project happening now?
A: Market conditions have aligned: growing demand for high-quality steel, a shift to electric arc furnace technology, geopolitical supply disruptions, and access to proven domestic resources all make this the right time to build a U.S.-based solution.

Q: Why is this project important for the United States?
A: This project helps rebuild a fully domestic steel supply chain by producing premium pig iron in the U.S. for the first time. Today, 100% of merchant pig iron is imported, creating a strategic vulnerability. This facility supports infrastructure, defense, and energy development while strengthening national security and supply chain independence.

Q: How does this project support U.S. defense and national security?
A: Steel is a foundational material for national defense—from naval vessels and military vehicles to critical infrastructure and energy systems. Today, the U.S. relies heavily on imported pig iron, creating a potential vulnerability in the supply chain.

By producing premium pig iron domestically, this project helps ensure a reliable, secure source of a critical raw material used in defense manufacturing. It strengthens America’s industrial base, reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, and supports the longterm readiness and resilience of U.S. defense and infrastructure systems.

Q: Can I expect to see my taxes impacted because of this facility?
A: Taxes are not expected to increase because of this new facility. In fact, it is more likely that as a large, new taxpayer for the area, this project could help to drive down the effective tax rate for all property owners, as the tax base would then be broader than it currently stands.

Q: How does this help the average person in Minot?
A: A large facility of this type is likely to bring new individuals and families to our region. A larger population makes our community more attractive to regional and national brand stores and opens opportunities for local entrepreneurs as they open up their own business. This adds job opportunities across a wide range of skillsets, including manual labor, tech/AI, and management. Communities that attract large-scale investments of this nature are more often seen as growing and thriving communities. In other words, a rising tide from a large facility lifts all boats.

Q: How long will this project benefit the region?
A: With an expected operating life of multiple decades, this project represents a long-term investment in economic stability, workforce development, and industrial growth for future generations.

Have more questions about North American Iron? Feel free to reach out to Economic Development Specialist Mark Lyman at mark@minotchamberedc.com.