HIBBING, MN, Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Essar Steel Minnesota LLC ("ESML" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a long term iron ore pellet off-take agreement with ArcelorMittal USA ("AMUSA"). The term of the agreement is ten years and the supply of pellets is expected to commence during the second half of ESML's fiscal year ending March 31, 2014.

As per the agreement, ESML will supply 3.5 million metric tonnes of standard and fluxed iron ore pellets annually to ArcelorMittal's North American operations.

ESML has approximately 2.0 billion metric tonnes of measured, indicated and inferred magnetite resources, out of which approximately 1.7 billion metric tonnes are proven and probable reserves. Furthermore, the Company also has about 290 million metric tonnes of hematite resources. ESML is presently constructing a 7.0 million metric tonnes per annum iron ore pellet plant at Nashwauk in Northern Minnesota, at an investment of US$ 1.7 billion.

Madhu Vuppuluri, President and Chief Executive Officer of ESML said: "This off-take agreement demonstrates the marketability of ESML's high quality products to third parties in addition to Essar Steel Algoma." He further added that ESML's diverse product portfolio will include standard, flux and DR grade pellets, and ESML will be the only producer capable of producing all three types of pellets in Unites States.

John Brett, Executive Vice President for Finance, Planning and Procurement of ArcelorMittal, USA, said: "We are pleased to enter into this long term off take agreement with ESML. This off-take agreement is consistent with our strategy of securing long term supply of critical raw materials within the region, and it provides material that meets the stringent standards of our blast furnaces. ESML's ability to provide different types of pellets provides us the flexibility to utilize the product at multiple furnaces. "

About Essar Steel Minnesota
Essar Steel Minnesota LLC is a private resources company engaged in the development and mining of iron ore. ESML's iron ore operations are located in the western end of the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota, strategically close to critical infrastructure, including rail, port, and surface connectivity systems. The Company is engaged in the construction of a mine, concentrator and a 7.0 million metric tonnes per annum iron ore pellet plant. The Company has access to significant magnetite resources which are National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 compliant, with approximately 1.8 billion metric tonnes of measured and indicated resources, out of which approximately 1.7 billion metric tonnes are proven and probable reserves, and an additional 200 million metric tonnes of inferred resources. In addition the Company also has about 290 million metric tonnes of hematite resources. Essar Steel Minnesota LLC is part of the Essar Group.

For more information about Essar Steel Minnesota, please visit: www.essarsteelmn.com

About Essar Group
The Essar Group is a multinational conglomerate and a leading player in the sectors of steel, oil and gas, power, BPO and telecom services, shipping, ports and projects and resources. With operations in more than 25 countries across five continents, the Essar Group employs over 75,000 people, with annual revenues of US$27 billion.

About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world's leading integrated steel and mining company, with a presence in more than 60 countries.

ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global steel markets, including automotive, construction, household

appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. With an industrial presence in over 20 countries spanning four continents, ArcelorMittal covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature.

Through its core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, ArcelorMittal commits to operating in a responsible way with respect to the health, safety and well-being of its employees, contractors and the communities in which it operates. It is also committed to the sustainable management of the environment. It takes a leading role in the industry's efforts to develop breakthrough steelmaking technologies and is actively researching and developing steel-based technologies and solutions that contribute to combat climate change.

In 2012, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $84.2 billion and crude steel production of 88.2 million tonnes, representing approximately 6 percent of world steel output.

ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).

For more information about ArcelorMittal, please visit: www.arcelormittal.com.

SOURCE Essar Steel Minnesota LLC