The Skillings Mining Review February 2019 edition explores the shifting forces shaping mining in North America and beyond. At the forefront, our cover story, “What’s Ahead for Iron Ore 2019”, takes a hard look at market volatility, demand projections, and Cleveland-Cliffs’ evolving role in reshaping the U.S. steel value chain.
This issue also tackles safety and technology with “Rise of the Robot: Fatality Figures in the Mining Industry”, a sobering analysis of how automation is not only boosting productivity but also redefining the landscape of mine safety and workforce management.
From Minnesota’s taconite operations to infrastructure investments approved by IRRR Board, we spotlight regional developments that highlight both opportunity and challenge. On the finance side, readers will find insight into Cleveland-Cliffs’ share repurchase program and the $9.9 million dredging project—a reminder of how capital decisions ripple through supply chains and local communities alike.
Sustainability is never far from the conversation. With Allete Clean Energy’s push into wind power and the implications for mining’s carbon footprint, the dialogue between extraction and environment takes on fresh urgency.
As always, our Mining People section introduces the professionals driving change, while statistics and commentary provide the context needed to navigate markets that remain both unpredictable and full of promise.
Skillings Mining Review February 2019 reaffirms its mission: to inform, analyze, and challenge assumptions at a time when mining stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation.


