Top executives from Minnesota’s newest iron ore mine have joined President Donald Trump at the White House in announcing plans to build a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa.

Trump, surrounded Monday afternoon by Iowa politicians and officials from Mesabi Metallics and its India-based owner, Essar Group, called news of the massive investment a big deal for energy independence — while using the moment to take a fresh swipe at Gov. Tim Walz.

“They maybe have a lousy governor,” Trump said, “but they have great iron ore.”

The project is expected to provide an economic jolt to northern Minnesota’s steel industry. Mesabi officials estimate 1,750 jobs and 10 million tons of steel a year will stem from the Iowa mill, which is slated to start production in 2030.

“Mesabi Metallics is looking forward to further investment in Minnesota,” CEO Joe Broking said in a statement thanking Walz for his support in permitting the state’s first new iron ore mine in decades.

A spokesman for Walz did not respond to a request for comment.

Minnesota’s Iron Range, which depends on the steel industry, has struggled as companies including U.S. Steel and Cleveland Cliffs have idled mines in the face of tariffs and other economic challenges.

Trump has argued tariffs — including a 50% import tax on steel — are key to reshoring American manufacturing.

His administration announced a $770 million loan to Mesabi earlier this year.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing back the importance of building things in America,” Mesabi Metallics Chair Rewant Ruia said during the Oval Office event.

Mesabi’s Nashwauk, Minn., operation is Minnesota’s first new mine in half a century.

Though the ore it produces will feed the Iowa mill and be sold to other processors on the open market, the focus at the White House announcement was on Minnesota’s southern neighbor.

Trump was surrounded by an Iowa delegation, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, and showered particular praise on Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is locked in a tight U.S.Senate race.

The midterm elections, just weeks away, could cost Republicans control of Congress if states like Iowa swing left.

Though Trump isn’t on the ballot, his economic policies are fueling disillusionment among voters fed up with high gas and grocery prices.

In Minnesota, where competitive governor and U.S.Senate races are on the ballot, Republicans called Mesabi’s decision to build the plant in Iowa an indictment of Walz’s economic legacy.

“These are jobs and investments that should be happening here in Minnesota,” House Speaker Lisa Demuth, the Republican candidate for governor, said in a social media post.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Democratic candidate for governor, said in a statement she would cut “unnecessary red tape” to accelerate large projects for Minnesota.

“Today’s announcement underscores the need for our state to aggressively compete for major industrial investments,”Klobuchar said.

Mesabi has welcomed elected officials from both parties to the Nashwauk mine. Earlier this month, Trump administration officials attended a ceremonial first blast that emitted red, white and blue smoke.

Historically, iron ore mined in Minnesota has been shipped via barge over the Great Lakes to Ohio or Indiana, where blast furnaces turn it into steel.

But Mesabi produces pellets that are processed in electric arc furnaces.

Up to 70% of U.S. domestic steel production uses electric arc furnaces, which produce far less pollution than blast furnaces.

Rolf Weberg, executive director of the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, called Monday’s announcement an “exciting step” for Minnesota’s 140-year-old iron industry.

The Iowa plant “makes Minnesota iron relevant” to the newer side of the industry, he said.

“It’s a shot in the arm,”Weberg said, “and confidence that the state of Minnesota can step up and be on the front end of this exciting development.”

cvondracek@startribune.com