On display at the meeting were informational displays explaining the various stages of the nugget process.

ISHPEMING — Even with the slower economy, Cliffs Natural Resources, which operates the Tilden and Empire mines in Marquette County, is pushing ahead with the permitting process for its proposed iron nugget project. Cliffs held an informal public meeting recently at the Tilden Township Hall to help inform the public about the project, which could bring in 100 new jobs once the facility is operational, Cliffs spokesman Dale Hemmila said. A second meeting was held at the Richmond Township Hall in Palmer. “This particular product will give us the opportunity to use the iron resource here in Michigan,” he said. More than 100 people attended the meeting, with the big draw being the prospect of new jobs. The new facility, to be used in addition to the current mine processing methods, would be located in Tilden Township between the two mines and would process iron ore from both mines, Hemmila sai.