Iron ore is a natural 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.
Almost all iron ore is converted into pig iron for steel making which is then used in construction, transport, energy infrastructure and household appliances.
Among the largest producers of iron ore are four leading companies (Vale, BHP Group Plc, Rio Tinto and FMG). They account for more than two-thirds of the world’s iron ore trade.
The most common merchant iron ore forms are lumps, fines, pellets, and iron ore concentrates. They can differ in both physical and chemical characteristics like total iron (Fe) content, Silica (Si), compression strength, basicity, fines content and more.
Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI)
Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) is a premium form of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) that has been compacted at a temperature greater than 650°C at time of compaction and has a density greater than 5,000 kilograms per cubic metre (5,000 kg/m3).
The principal market for HBI is electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking but HBI also finds application as a trim coolant in basic oxygen furnace steelmaking and as blast furnace feedstock
At integrated mini-mills, DRI can be hot charged to the EAF, at temperatures in the region of 650° C, thus making significant energy savings
Pig Iron
Pig iron is the product of smelting iron ore (also ilmenite) with a high-carbon fuel and reductant such as coke, usually with limestone as a flux. Charcoal and anthracite are also used as fuel and reductant.
Pig iron is supplied in a variety of ingot sizes and weights, ranging from 3 kg up to 50 kg+.
The vast majority of pig iron is produced and consumed within integrated steel mill complexes.
Iron ore
We trade the whole spectrum of iron ore products and grades including fine, low-grade and high-grade lump, pellet feed and pellets. With established supplier relationships in all main exporting countries, we use our extensive international network to connect specific buyers with particular grades of stock. Our deep relationships with steel mines & mills and local trading houses enable us to cater to customer requirements and source supplies in a cost competitive manner