Hibbing Taconite Company mines the lower cherty layer of the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota. The mine produces more than 8 million metric tones of taconite pellets annually. It is engaged in drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, crushing, concentrating and palletizing operations. The mine transports pellets to Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. Hibbing Taconite Company is operated by ArcelorMittal USA, which holds interest in raw material, railroad and transportation assets. The parent company manages several steelmaking plants. ArcelorMittal USA maintains flat- and long-carbon production facilities. The company operates an iron ore mine through its wholly owned subsidiary ArcelorMittal Minorca.