Deep Green Metals |
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Iron Ores are Rocks and Minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in colour from dark Grey, Bright Yellow, deep Purple, to rusty Red etc. The iron itself is usually found in the form of Magnetite (Fe: 3O4), Hematite (Fe: 2O3), Goethite, Limonite or siderite.
Hematite is also known as "Natural Ore". The name refers to the early years of mining, when certain hematite ores contained 66% iron and could be fed directly into Iron making blast furnaces. Iron ore is the raw material used to make Pig Iron, which is one of the main raw materials to make steel. 98% of the Mined Iron Ore is used to make steel. Iron is the world's most commonly used metal. It is used primarily in structural engineering applications and in maritime purposes, automobiles, and general industrial applications (machinery). Iron-Rich rocks are common worldwide, but ore-grade commercial mining operations are dominated by the countries listed in the table aside. The major constraint to economics for iron ore deposits is not necessarily the grade or size of the deposit‟s, because it is not particularly hard to geologically prove enough tonnage of the rocks exist. The main constraint is the position of the iron ore relative to market, the cost of rail infrastructure to get it to market and the energy cost required to do so.