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Iron ore is any rock that contains a usable quantity of iron. Common iron ore minerals include hematite, magnetite, limonite, and siderite. These are frequently found together with assorted silicates. Although iron does not occur in its pure form in nature, some kinds of iron ore contain up to 70% iron atoms. Iron ore consists of oxygen and iron atoms bonded together into molecules. To create pure iron, one must deoxygenate the ore, leaving only iron atoms behind. That is the essence of the refining process.
To coax the oxygen atoms away from the iron ore requires heat and an alternate atomic partner for the oxygen to bond to. Carbon fills this role nicely, and is readily available in the form of everyday charcoal, or coke, a form of carbon made from coal. The carbon atoms bond with the oxygen in the ore to create carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, gases which escape out a chimney. Because iron ore typically contains silicates, which do not bond to the carbon, these remain in the iron after it is refined, creating wrought iron, a malleable and strong form of iron used by blacksmiths throughout history.
To create an even purer form of iron, known as pig iron, limestone must be added to the mix and the heat increased. This is done contemporarily in the silo-like structure known as a blast furnace. The calcium in limestone bonds with the silicates in the ore, creating a material called slag, which floats on top of the pure liquid iron. The iron is periodically drained into a mold from a port at the bottom of the blast furnace, where it cools. The pig iron can then be converted into wrought iron by mixing it with silicon, or processed further to create steel.
Steel is a form of iron mixed together with 0.5% - 1.5% carbon but no oxygen, silicates, or other impurities. Steel is much more difficult to work than wrought iron, but is greatly stronger. Iron can be mixed together with various other elements to create alloys with desired properties, such as lightness or resistance to rust (stainless steel).
Because iron is so common (composing 5% of the Earth's crust), strong, and relatively easy to process, it plays a very intimate role in human civilization. Roughly 98% of all ore shipped worldwide is used in the production of iron or steel. Surface deposits of iron ore are abundantly available in most geographic areas. Ancient civilizations which reached the threshold level of technology required to smelt iron ore enjoyed decisive advantages over their competitors, whose bronze and copper weapons were no match for ironworks.

Read More: How Is Iron Refined From Ore?

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14y ago
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14y ago

by burning it at a high temperature and letting it run into pig iron troughs

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12y ago

You have to smelt it to get the iron out. Other wise, you can't get iron form iron ore.

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13y ago

It is called iron ore

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Q: How is iron ore processed?
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Related questions

What can iron ore be processed into?

Steel


What mineral is used as an ore of iron?

Hematite is a common mineral used as an ore of iron. It has a high iron content and is often processed to extract the iron for industrial use.


Is iron and iron ore the same?

No, iron is a chemical element, while iron ore is a rock containing iron minerals that can be extracted and processed to obtain metallic iron. Iron ore is a primary source of iron, which is used in various industries for making steel and other products.


What is the mineral used to create iron ore?

Iron is the mineral. Iron is an element and as such, is not composed of any other materials, though iron ore comes out of the ground mixed with many other minerals. The ore must then be processed to extract the pure iron for practicle use.


How is iron ore separated from rock?

Iron ore can be separated from rock through a process known as magnetic separation. This involves using magnets to attract the iron ore away from the surrounding rock material. The iron ore can then be further processed to extract the iron metal.


What is iron ore rock?

It's a rock that contains enough iron to be processed at a cost that allows the economic retrieval and purification of the iron.


What is a waste product from iron ore called?

A waste product from iron ore processing is called tailings. Tailings are a mixture of finely-ground rock, water, and other residues that are left over after the iron ore has been extracted and processed.


Is iron ore a rock?

Yes, iron ore is a type of rock that contains iron minerals. It is mined and processed to extract the iron for various industrial uses, such as making steel.


Is iron ore natural from the earth?

Yes, iron ore is a natural mineral that is mined from the earth. It is a source of iron, which is extracted and processed to create various iron and steel products for industrial and commercial use.


Who manufacture iron?

Iron is extracted from the earth as a metallic ore. Then it is processed in a steel mill. Since that moment, it is called "steel".


What ore does iron come from?

Iron ore typically comes from two main types of deposits: hematite and magnetite. Hematite ore is a reddish-brown ore that is high in iron content, while magnetite ore is a dark, black ore with magnetic properties. These ores are mined and then processed to extract the iron metal.


What are the uses of iron ore?

Iron ore is primarily used in the production of steel. It is a key raw material in the manufacturing of steel products such as structural components, machinery, vehicles, and appliances. Additionally, iron ore is also used in the production of pig iron, which is further processed to make various iron and steel products.