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Iron ore is a mineral substance which, when heated in the
presence of a reductant, will yield metallic iron (Fe).
It almost always consists of iron oxides, the primary forms of
which are magnetite (Fe3O4) and
hematite (Fe2O3).
Iron ore is the source of primary iron for the world's iron and steel industries. It is therefore essential for the production of steel, which in turn is essential to maintain a strong industrial base. Almost all (98%) iron ore is used in steelmaking. Iron ore is mined in about 50 countries. The seven largest of these producing countries account for about three-quarters of total world production. Australia and Brazil together dominate the world's iron ore exports, each having about one-third of total exports. |
Publications
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Annual Publications
- Iron Ore
PDF Format:
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | - Appendixes
- Iron Ore
PDF Format:
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
XLS Format:
| 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
- Archive
| 1932-1993 |
Monthly Publications
- Iron Ore
PDF Format:
2008: | Jan | Feb | Mar |
2007: | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
XLS Format:
2008: | Jan | Feb | Mar |
2007: | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
- Industry Data
Special Publications
- Challenges Facing the North American Iron Ore Industry
OF-2006-1061 - Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in the United States
Data Series 140 - Metal Prices in the United States through 1998
- Iron Ore (PDF)
- Statistical Compendium
Contacts
- USGS Mineral Commodity Specialist
John D. Jorgenson
Phone: 703-648-4912
Fax: 703-648-7757
Email: jjorgenson@usgs.gov
- USGS Mineral Resource Specialist
Links
- Iron Mining Association
- USGS Minerals Information