ERP Iron Ore and Republic Steel Announce Lorain, Ohio Pig Iron Joint Venture July 25, 2017 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time NATURAL BRIDGE, Va.( BUSINESS WIRE )Republic Steel ("Republic") and ERP Iron Ore, LLC ("ERP") have signed a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the formation of a joint venture to produce pig iron at Republic's steel mill located in Lorain, Ohio.