Iron Ore, Industry Sector METAL

Iron Ore

Iron ore is a mineral substance which will yield metallic iron (Fe).   It almost always consists of iron oxides, the primary forms of which are magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and hematite (Fe₂O₃). The image below shows a few specimens of iron ore.  The grey metallic ore is magnetite, while the red ore is hematite.  The round thing in the middle is a quarter.
 

Iron was long ago categorized as a base metal, as opposed to the noble metals like gold and silver, but in fact its fundamental role makes it a "base metal" in quite the other sense. 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.

Today it may seem like there is no romance left in iron ore, just big industry and government agencies. But you can relive the days of iron mines and their iron men as you visit historical sites where old techniques and blast furnaces and ironworks from the 19th century are preserved. Visit the great ore ships that still ply the American Great Lakes, or ride the trains that carry the ore. Do not forget the artisans for whom the industry began—the blacksmith in the village square.

Iron - the Element

Name: Iron
Symbol: Fe
Atomic Number: 26
Atomic Mass: 55.845 amu
Melting Point: 1535.0 °C (1808.15 K, 2795.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 2750.0 °C (3023.15 K, 4982.0 °F)
Number of Protons/Electrons: 26
Number of Neutrons: 30
Classification: Transition Metal
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 7.86 g/cm³
Colour: Silvery

structure of iron

Crazy Facts Corner

• Iron makes up the Earth's core. 
• By volume, iron makes up 34.6% of the earth, more than any other element.
• It's chemical symbol, Fe, is derived from ferrum, the Latin word for iron.

Links

http://geology.about.com/library/weekly/aa033097.htm
http://www.geo.msu.edu/geo333/iron.html
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/fe.html

Researched by Angua-