Image courtesy of U.S. Steel

By NOLAN POINTER

OSCEOLA, Ark. – U.S. Steel is investing $1.9 billion to build a new direct reduced iron facility at Big River Steel Works in Osceola, Ark., the first of its kind in the United States.

Osceola is located approximately 55 miles due north of Memphis, Tenn.

The investment strengthens U. S. Steel’s next-generation steelmaking capabilities and reinforces its position as a leader in modern, efficient steelmaking. The new facility will leverage U. S. Steel’s 2022 investment into direct reduced-grade pellet capabilities at its Minnesota Ore Operations Keetac plant, creating a direct link between our mining operations, EAF feedstock creation, and steel production at Big River Steel Works.

No specific primary contractor or engineering, procurement and construction firm has yet been publicly named.

Construction on the facility is projected to begin in early 2027,with operations officially targeted to start in 2029.

By locating DRI production at Big River Steel Works – where the more-than-$3 billion Big River 2 expansion is now in full production and there are four electric arc furnaces – this investment will eliminate the need to ship DRI to the facility and builds in a competitive sourcing advantage for Big River’s feedstock.

Together these investments advance vertical integration across U. S. Steel’s operations under a single, integrated American supply chain to improve efficiency, quality and supply chain control while enhancing the company’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality steel.

This project is expected to support approximately 200 full-time Big River Steel Works employees and 35 full-time embedded contractor roles, while creating an estimated 2,000 construction jobs at peak, further strengthening U.S. Steel’s workforce and economic impact in the region.