Magnetation Inc. was created with the intention of utilizing magnetic separation technology to capture iron ore particles left over from previous mining operations that existed on the iron range dating back to the 1890s.  Owners Al Fritz and Rod Hunt focused the company’s early efforts on research and development of a beneficiation process centered on the Ferrous Wheel®, a technology Al Fritz invented in the 1970s that used permanent magnets to separate iron ore from waste materials and produce an upgraded iron ore concentrate.Magnetation continued its project execution in 2012 with first concentrate production at its Plant Two in May, just ten months after breaking ground and eight months after the first concrete pour.  In November 2012, Magnetation announced it would be constructing its 3.0 million mt per year pellet plant in Reynolds, IN to supply AK Steel’s blast furnace operations in Middletown, OH and Ashland, KY.