Iron Ore Mining Basics
Mining of iron ore is a highly capital-intensive process that requires significant investment in equipment and infrastructure. It is one of the most important substances used in the production of steel, of which iron ore is the key ingredient. Primarily non-renewable, iron ore is also an important mineral trading commodity and is a major contributor to the economies of many countries.
Iron ore reserves are typically found in sedimentary rocks formed from the deposition of dissolved iron compounds in oceans and other large bodies of water. These deposits are mined through a series of open-pit or underground mining techniques. Miners must use a variety of techniques to excavate and process large quantities of ore quickly and efficiently.
Surface Mining
Surface mining, such as open-pit mining, is a common and cost-effective method for extracting iron ore. In this method, a large hole is dug into the ground, ore is then raced from the hole and broken down into smaller pieces with heavy machinery. This type of mining is especially suitable for bigger or shallower ore bodies.
Underground Mining
Underground mining is used to excavate deeper deposits. The basic technique of underground mining is to dig access shafts and tunnels, to gain access to the orebody. After the orebody is reached, further tunnels are cut to allow miners to extract the ore. Underground mining can be more complex and costly than surface mining, but it is necessary for deeper deposits.
Beneficiation
Once the ore is removed from the ground, it is treated in a processing plant to prepare it for smelting. This is known as beneficiation, and it increases the iron content of the ore. During beneficiation, the ore is crushed, screened and separated according to its chemical properties. It is then treated with chemicals and other processes to produce a concentrate, which can be used as an input into the smelting process.
Smelting
The smelting process is critical for transforming the ore into a form which can be used to make usable products. In the smelting process, a blast furnace is used to heat the ore to temperatures of up to 1,500 degrees Celsius. At these temperatures, the impurities are burned off and the resulting slag is separated from the iron content. The molten iron can then be poured into molds to form finished products such as pig iron or steel.
Iron ore mining is an essential industry for many countries, providing valuable resources for the production of many finished products. In order to successfully extract and process iron ore, miners need a detailed understanding of the process and of the necessary equipment. As technology advances and costs decrease, new ways of mining and processing iron ore are continually being explored, to maximize efficiency and safety.
