Iron ore

Iron ores are minerals from which metallic iron can be extracted. The iron itself is usually found in the form of magnetite[?] (Fe₃O₄) or hematite (Fe₂O₃), both of which are iron oxides. However, as much of the pure magnetite and hematite ore has already been mined, modern iron mines rely on aggregate minerals such as taconite[?], which must be processed to remove non-iron-bearing components prior to smelting. Iron mines therefore produce tremendous amounts of waste.

Iron ore is common worldwide, but commercial mining operations are dominated by seven countries: Australia, Brazil, China, India, Russia, the USA, and the Ukraine. World production averages one billion metric tons of raw ore annually.

Most iron ore is used in the production of steel.