Harold E. ADAMSON, Et Al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. ARMCO, INC., Defendant-Appellee

LOKEN, Circuit Judge.

For many years, Reserve Mining Company (“Reserve”) mined and processed taeonite iron ore deposits in northern Minnesota and shipped the processed taeonite to steel mills operated by Reserve’s parent companies, Republic Steel Corporation and appellee Armco, Inc. Republic and Armco operated Reserve as a “cost company,” paying Reserve’s operating expenses as incurred and causing Reserve to have no net earnings. In mid-1986, beset by environmental and economic adversities, Reserve ceased operations and filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Reserve…