Typical iron ore samples | Various sources

Iron ores are naturally occurring rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted and refined. They are the foundational raw material for the global iron and steel industry, which consumes over 2 billion tonnes of iron ore annually. An ore qualifies as economically viable when its iron (Fe) content — determined by the mineralogy and degree of gangue (waste mineral) dilution — is sufficient to justify mining, beneficiation, and smelting costs.​

Read the complete iron ores profile here.

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