U.S. Steel Breaks Ground on $1.9 Billion DRI Plant in Arkansas
U.S. Steel has broken ground on a $1.9 billion direct reduced iron facility at Big River Steel Works in Arkansas. The investment will link Minnesota iron ore production with electric arc furnace steelmaking, strengthening domestic raw material supplies and creating approximately 200 permanent jobs.
By Paul Ploumis
Published: November 2, 2026
Key Points
- Investment: $1.9 billion for a new direct reduced iron (DRI) facility in Osceola, Arkansas.
- Employment: Approximately 200 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs at peak.
- Raw materials: The plant will connect Minnesota iron ore operations with Arkansas EAF steelmaking.
- Production: Hot DRI will feed Big River 2, while hot briquetted iron (HBI) can be transported to other facilities.
- Timeline: Site preparation is underway, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2026.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): U.S. Steel has broken ground on a $1.9 billion direct reduced iron (DRI) manufacturing facility at its Big River Steel Works campus in Osceola, Arkansas, advancing an investment aimed at securing raw material supplies for its electric arc furnace (EAF) operations.
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