PALMER, MI-- The Empire Mine’s days are numbered.
That’s according to Cliffs Natural Resources Chief Executive Joseph Carrabba, who says its operations will decrease in coming months and cease altogether in late 2014 or early 2015.
Carraba spoke about the plans Tuesday morning in Marquette.
The Empire opened in 1963 and has produced 260 million tons of iron ore. Carrabba says the mine has been a "huge success" but says its viability is declining. He says the closing “will be a very progressive process."
Cliffs officials say the company could provide training for those who find themselves out of a job. They say Cliffs is also looking at ways to repurpose the mine site.
Cliffs employs about 830 people at the Empire Mine and about 730 at the Tilden Mine. The Cleveland-based company said in November it expects to lay off about 500 workers from both mines in April, and the Empire will be shut down for the second quarter of this year.
