MARQUETTE, MI (AP)-- Iron ore shipments out of Marquette's Upper Harbor are down dramatically, prompting fears about the future of Empire Mine.
According to the Lake Carriers' Association, roughly 460,000 tons of iron ore shipped out of Marquette last month, compared with about 732,000 tons in November 2014.
The Mining Journal reports a similar downward trend was also seen throughout the Great Lakes, according to the association's report. Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.9 million tons in November, a decrease of 17 percent compared to a year ago.
A Cliffs Natural Resources spokeswoman says low customer demand, temporary mine shutdowns and steel imports contributed to a "brutal" year. Cliffs operates the Empire and Tilden mines in Marquette. They continue to face ongoing union negotiations and falling stock value.
