L-T-V Corporation is closing a Minnesota iron mining operation earlier than expected. The Cleveland-based company says its L-T-V Steel Mining Company located in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota will close February 24th. L-T-V had planned to keep it open through the middle of next year. L-T-V says the mine can no longer provide it with taconite pellets of competitive quality and cost. This is the latest in a series of recent setbacks to Minnesota's iron mining industry. Ann Glumac is the President of the Minnesota Iron Mining Association. She says the health of the industry in Minnesota is directly tied to the health of the U-S steel industry.