Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow, deep purple, to rusty red. The iron itself is usually found in the form of magnetite (Fe3O4), hematite (Fe2O3), goethite (FeO(OH)), limonite (FeO(OH).n(H2O)) or siderite (FeCO3). Ores carrying very high quantities of hematite or magnetite (greater than ~60% iron) are known as "natural ore" or "direct shipping ore", meaning they can be fed directly into iron-making blast furnaces. Most reserves of such ore have now been depleted. Iron ore is the raw material used to make pig iron, which is one of the main raw materials to make steel. 98% of the mined iron ore is used to make steel.[1] Indeed, it has been argued that iron ore is "more integral to the global economy than any other commodity, except perhaps oil".

Crusher machine for iron ore

In iron ore crushing process include coarse crushing, medium crushing, fine crushing and pulverizing.

In iron ore crushing plant, jaw crusher is often to be selected, in medium crushing process, processer usually use impact crusher, and in the fine crushing, short-head type cone crusher is suitable.The extracted iron ore will be transported to the primary crusher. Over-sized and wet ore will be sent to the ROM stockpile for pre-treatment before it is sent to the primary crusher. Primary and secondary crushing followed by screening will result in lumps and fines sized between -32mm +8mm and -8mm respectively. The lump and fine products will be loaded and hauled to the port.