Iron ore

Iron Ore:

• Composition: Iron ore consists mainly of iron oxides. The most common ores are:

  • Hematite (Fe₂O₃) – high iron content (~69%)

  • Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) – high iron content (~72%)

  • Goethite (FeO(OH))

  • Limonite (FeO(OH)·nH₂O)

  • Siderite (FeCO₃)

• Iron Content: The grade of ore depends on the iron percentage. Higher-grade ores are more desirable for steelmaking.

• Uses:

  • Steel Production: About 98% of mined iron ore is used in steelmaking.

  • Pig Iron Production: Smelted in blast furnaces or used in Direct Reduced Iron (DRI).

  • Other Uses: Small amounts are used in pigments, heavy media separation, and as ballast.

• Processing:

  • Mined ore is crushed, screened, and beneficiated (to improve Fe content).

  • Processed into lumps, fines, or pellets.

  • Then fed into blast furnaces or direct reduction plants.

• Global Producers:

  • Australia and Brazil are the largest exporters.

  • China is the largest consumer (world’s biggest steel producer).

  • India also has significant reserves and is a key producer.

• Specifications (for steelmaking):

  • Fe content: Usually >62% for export quality.

  • Low impurities: Especially low in silica (SiO₂), alumina (Al₂O₃), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P).