Ore and fluxes

There are many iron-bearing ores, but only a limited number of them are used as sources of iron.

The first and most important part of this study is devoted to iron ores, which, in terms of tonnage, constitute the basic raw material for the steel industry. The second part briefly describes the other non-energy mineral raw materials that can be used directly by the iron and steel industry, with the exception of those that undergo significant transformation before being used in the form of ferroalloys, addition or lining metals, refractories, etc.

The ores are first described in their natural environment: how is iron distributed on the earth's surface (geochemistry), what form does it take (mineralogy), how does it accumulate (geology)? We then examine the main technical characteristics of the ores in relation to their use as raw materials in the iron and steel industry.

A second article [M 7 041] deals with the geographical and economic aspects of iron ore production and use. It outlines the main current sources of iron ore in the world and presents the economic data needed to understand international markets.