Citing what it calls the "current reality of weak automotive production in the United States," steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. plans a temporary idling of some operations at its Dearborn, Michigan, plant, resulting in the layoff of about 600 employees this summer.

Facing a slowdown among their large automotive clients, the leaders of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. have in recent days said they will idle two plants in Minnesota and another in Michigan and lay off roughly 1,200 workers.

Cliffs said 630 employees will be laid off in 60 days. A state senator said the company has excess pellets, and the auto industry, which uses Cliffs steel, faces "challenging economic conditions."