U. S. Steel last week confirmed its intent to build a US$1.9 billion direct reduced iron (DRI) plant at its Big River facility in Arkansas. The plant will consume direct-reduction-grade pellets being produced at its Keetac taconite mine in Minnesota.  

The DRI plant will be set up to hot charge directly into Big River furnaces.

“This is the first of its kind in the United States,” U. S. Steel said last week. “No other facility in the U.S. is co-located with a mill to enable hot charging. This increases efficiency and reduces electricity needs.”

The project is part of a planned US$14 billion investment in U. S. Steel facilities being made as part of Nippon Steel’s acquisition of the company in 2025. 

“Our partnership with Nippon Steel helped accelerate this investment years sooner than would have otherwise been possible,” said U. S. Steel president and chief executive officer David B. Burritt.

“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. By vertically integrating DRI production directly at Big River Steel Works, we enhance efficiency, secure our competitive advantage, and position U. S. Steel for long-term success,” he said.