Types of Iron Ore
Iron ore is any rock or mineral from which iron can be extracted. It is a compound made up of iron and oxygen. While most types of iron ore contain a high percentage of iron, there are several types of iron ore which have a very low iron content. These types of ore are used in the steel production process in order to strengthen different grades of steel. Below are some common types of iron ore.
Hematite: Hematite is the most common type of iron ore and is typically found in the form of a red powdery ore. It is the most abundant type of iron ore in the world, making up about 95% of the sedimentary ores that are mined each year. The primary source of hematite are ancient rocks commonly found in deposits often referred to as Banded Iron Formations.
Magnetite: Magnetite is another common type of iron ore and is easily recognizable due to its black, glossy appearance. It is composed of Iron and oxygen like Hematite and can often be found in igneous rocks. Magnetite is much harder than hematite and has a higher iron content, making it the most sought after form of iron ore.
Limonite: Limonite is an iron ore composed of hydrated iron oxide-hydroxide. It is generally mined as a major component of iron ore, but it is not considered to be an iron ore by most geologists. Limonite has a yellowish-brown color and occurs in sedimentary iron formations, often in association with other types of minerals.
Goethite: Goethite is a brownish-yellow sedimentary iron ore that is most often mined as a component of economic iron ore deposits. It is composed mainly of iron and oxygen, but also contains traces of silicon, phosphorous, and aluminum. Goethite is widely mined and is used as an iron ore flux in the production of iron and steel.
Siderite: Siderite is an iron carbonate that is mainly composed of iron, calcium and carbon. It is not a major iron ore, but it does have some important uses in the steel production process. It is primarily used to remove phosphorus and sulfur from molten steel.
Taconite: Taconite is a low-grade iron ore that is used to produce pellets that are used in blast furnaces to manufacture steel. The ore is mined from sedimentary iron formations, commonly referred to as taconite deposits, which are formed from ancient lava flows. Taconite ore contains 25-30% iron, compared to the higher iron content of magnetite.
Iron ore is a common mineral found across the world in the form of various types of rocks. The most common ores are the hematite, magnetite and limonite, with goethite, siderite and taconite being the less common types. Iron ore is primarily used in the steel production process to add strength, hardness and corrosion resistance to steel. Steel is used in a variety of applications, from building bridges to constructing bridges, and its production is an important part of the global economy.
