Iron ore remains an essential commodity in today’s society. In India, iron ore is no different as it is regarded as the building block of industrialisation. Without iron ore, numerous industries would not exist. As a result, it is indispensable for the operations of countless industries and acts as the key material determining industrial advancement. This blog will delve into the specifics of iron ore. It will introduce you to how is iron extracted from its ore. It will also shed light on the types of iron ore, their location in India, and their quality and formation.
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What is Iron Ore?
How is iron ore formed, and what is it? Iron ore is a naturally occurring mineral and raw material. These ores are iron oxides and are mined in order to obtain metallic iron. It comes in different forms and colours, ranging from the darkest grey to bright yellow, rusty red to deep purple. Inexpensive iron ores are useful in producing steel, on which structures, vehicles, and a plethora of consumer products rely.
Hematite and magnetite are the primary iron ores. Iron ore is a fundamental component in the construction of steel. Iron ores mainly consist of iron oxides and they range in colour from black, blue-black, grey, orange, yellow, purple, reddish brown and red. The major source of iron is magnetite mixed with hematite, goethite, limonite and siderite.
Natural ore or direct shipping ore is an iron ore that contains a large proportion of hematite or magnetite (greater than 60% iron) and no coating of silica and alumina. So, they can be directly fed into the blast furnace to produce iron. Pig iron cannot be produced without iron ore and the latter is a major component in the production of steel. 98% of the mined iron ore is used in the steel production; it reveals how crucial steel is in the contemporary world.
How Many Types of Iron Ore?
Iron ores are classified based on their metallic iron content. They are of the following types.
- Magnetite: Magnetite is reported to be the richest type of iron ore in the world as it has more than seventy per cent of metallic iron. It is black in colour and is more than 70% pure metallic iron. The high purity of this iron ore type increases its demand. So, if your question is- Which is the best quality iron ore? Magnetite is your answer.
- Hematite: Hematite has about 65-70% of metallic iron and is recognised by having a reddish brown colour. It is rich in iron and has been popular for its availability in supplying the requirement of bulk iron.
- Siderite: Siderite has 40-50% of iron and is brown-coloured. Iron existence in it may contain impurities of iron carbons. This makes it less precious than magnetite and hematite.
- Limonite: Iron ore, which contains less than 50% metallic iron and is yellow in colour, is known as limonite. It contains a very high percentage of impurities and, therefore, is regarded as a poor-quality iron ore that is much less often used in the production of iron.
How is Iron Extracted from its Ore?
The process of refining iron from its ore involves several phases, the most important being the process of putting the iron ore in a form that can easily be used in industries. Here’s an overview of the process:
Concentration of Ore
Mineral iron is extracted and then it goes through a further process in which it is pulped or crushed. This is followed by mineral processing which involves magnetic separation flotation or gravity separation to increase the iron ore concentration and get rid of unwanted material.
Calcination and Roasting
The concentrated ore is taken through calcination and roasting to get rid of water, carbon dioxide and other volatile elements. This process also enhances the oxidation of the iron ore.
Reduction in Blast Furnace
The major process for the extraction of iron is through a reduction in a blast furnace. Here’s how it works:
Charging the Furnace:
Iron ores, generally hematite and magnetite, are charged in the blast furnace in layers.
Combustion and Heat Generation:
Combustible fuel is injected through a number of openings known as tuyeres, and extremely hot air of approximately 1200°C is produced. The coke burns in the presence of this hot air, producing carbon dioxide and heat.
Formation of Slag:
The limestone reduces the content of impurities by binding it to form a slag which is lighter than the molten iron and floats on it. This slag can be reprocessed and sold for its use in other areas such as production of cement.
Tapping
The molten iron, now known as pig iron, is periodically collected from the bottom of the blast furnace and transported to be alloyed and made into different kinds of steel or cast iron.
Refining
Pig iron contains undesired elements of iron. It is further refined in a basic oxygen furnace or an electric arc furnace, where these unwanted elements are eliminated, and the proportion is altered to yield distinct types of steel.
Where is Iron Ore Found?
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Summing Up
Reading this post must have introduced you to iron ore and which is the best quality iron ore. However, to get the true benefits of iron products made from the highest-quality iron ore, it is essential to buy from a reliable manufacturer. It is where you will come across Sree Metaliks Limited. We use only the best iron ore for the manufacturing of our iron and steel products to ensure your structures are durable and possess great strength.
For more information, please reach out to us at: Sales@sreemetaliks.com