Michigan Mining Notes
from: Forest County Online

Edward Downing, vice president of operations for Cleveland Cliffs, Inc. recently announced that its Ishpeming Michigan central office will be closed as a result of consolidation of its Michigan mining operations. For operations efficiency and reduced costs, the public affairs staff will move to the Tilden Mine facility and the remainder of the engineering staff will be transferred to the Technology Center.

The company is changing to a single mining operation under the name of Cliffs Michigan Mining Company. The Empire and Tilden mines combined their operations on June 1 of this year in an effort to maintain competitiveness. The Ishpeming central office, which is considered a local landmark and historical facility, has been a part of Cleveland Cliffs operations since

the 1890's. At one time, the facility housed more than 200 employees. According to Downing, the move to a single large mining organization decreased the need to maintain a central office and closing the office and consolidating the staff is the most cost effective option. Cliffs plans to sell the building and other property. [August 18, 2003]