Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Essar-Backed Steel Plant Highlights US Investment and Russia Links
Donald Trump announced plans for a very large steel plant in Iowa.
The project is backed by India’s Essar Group through its company Mesabi Metallics.
Essar says the full investment will be $18 billion.
The company plans to use iron ore from a mine in Minnesota.
The project could create 1,750 permanent jobs and more than 6,000 construction jobs.
It is also expected to produce $95 billion in economic output over construction and the first ten years.
Essar was founded by brothers Shashi Ruia and Ravi Ruia.
The company has business connections to Russia through Nayara Energy and a past sale involving Rosneft.
European Union sanctions on Nayara Energy add concerns about the project’s links to Russia and changing trade policies.
Donald Trump announced a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel complex in Iowa, described as the largest steel plant in US history.
Essar Group said its total investment would reach $18 billion, including $3 billion for a Minnesota iron ore mine.
The project is expected to create 1,750 permanent jobs, more than 6,000 construction jobs, and $95 billion in economic output.
Mesabi Metallics is owned by India’s Essar Group, founded by brothers Shashi Ruia and Ravi Ruia in 1969.
Essar’s connections to Russia include Nayara Energy and the 2017 sale of Essar Oil assets to Rosneft and its partners.
- Who
- Donald Trump, Ravi Ruia, Essar Group, and its subsidiary Mesabi Metallics are central to the announcement; Shashi Ruia and Rewant Ruia are also identified in the company’s history and leadership.
- What
- An $18 billion Essar-backed investment to build a major steel complex in Iowa, linked to an iron ore mine in Minnesota.
- When
- The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 30; the article also identifies the Essar Oil sale as occurring in August 2017.
- Where
- The planned steel mill is in Iowa, while Mesabi Metallics’ iron ore mine is on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range.
- Why
- The project is intended to create a fully integrated American steel supply chain, jobs, and economic output.
Economic and Industrial Benefits
Russia and Policy Concerns
US steel and jobs
Economic and Industrial Benefits
Supporters point to the planned $18 billion investment, 1,750 permanent jobs, more than 6,000 construction jobs, and projected $95 billion in economic output.
Russia and Policy Concerns
The project’s prospects could depend on the stability of US trade and climate policies, including steel tariffs that have previously been used to support domestic manufacturing.
Russian business links
Economic and Industrial Benefits
Essar and Mesabi Metallics present the project as a 100% American steel supply chain using Minnesota iron ore and Iowa manufacturing.
Russia and Policy Concerns
Essar’s portfolio is linked to Russia through Nayara Energy and the 2017 sale of Essar Oil assets to Rosneft and its partners; the European Union has imposed sanctions on Nayara.
- Total announced investment
- $18 billion
- Iowa investment
- $15 billion
- Minnesota investment
- $3 billion
- Permanent jobs
- 1,750
- Construction jobs
- More than 6,000
- Projected economic output
- $95 billion during construction and the first 10 years of operations
- Essar Group assets and revenue
- The company website lists a $9.6 billion asset base and $15 billion in annual revenues
- Ruia family wealth estimates
- The article cites ₹38,000 crore for Ravi Ruia and family in the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026, while Forbes projected Shashi and Ravi Ruia’s wealth at $2.2 billion in 2021