Skillings Mining Review May 2019: The may 2019 edition of Skillings Mining Review reflected the global mining industry’s push and pull between growth, regulation, and corporate drama.
In steel, Indiana continued to lead U.S. steel production, reinforcing its position as the country’s industrial hub. Yet volatility clouded the outlook as the demand for steam coal kept shrinking, reshaping power generation and regional economies. In Canada, new concerns rose as Nova Scotia’s coal mine piles came under safety scrutiny, highlighting environmental and community risks.
Corporate battles took center stage in copper and iron ore. The PolyMet–Twin Metals conflict intensified in Minnesota, where local lawsuits and permitting challenges underscored the region’s role as a national flashpoint. Cleveland-Cliffs’ CEO joined calls to revise regulations, while Essar sought to save its Minnesota operation from bankruptcy. Across the Iron Range, debates over permits, water discharges, and federal oversight dominated headlines.
Our cover story detailed how Lakshmi Mittal’s legal battles cost him dearly in 2019, reflecting the pressures faced by global steel magnates amid trade disputes, tariff battles, and lawsuits. Internationally, North American Palladium reported a 51% income surge from the Lac des Iles mine, while the Canadian Mining Industry grappled with financial headwinds.
Finance and shipping also featured prominently. Analysts reported investor interest in mining finance increasing, and PolyMet released updated financials, shedding light on its capital needs. Meanwhile, the Great Lakes shipping season officially opened, a critical artery for North American steel and ore trade.
Taken together, May 2019’s stories captured a mining and metals industry defined by legal entanglements, environmental scrutiny, steady steel production, and cautious optimism in finance. It was a month where old battles over coal and iron ore intersected with new ones over sustainability, regulation, and global competition.
