How is iron ore mined?

Natural ore (iron ore) is gradually separated by crushing, grinding, magnetic separation, flotation, gravity separation and other procedures. In view of the existing characteristics of iron ore and the higher requirements of iron ore industry for iron concentrate, China mineral processing workers are facing new challenges. Therefore, metallurgical mines in China have a deeper requirement for the development of mineral processing technology, which is followed by the further improvement of mineral processing equipment.

The technological process of mineral processing should be as efficient and simple as possible, such as developing energy-saving equipment and using the most suitable process to achieve the best results. In the concentrator, the equipment investment, production cost, electric energy consumption and steel consumption often account for the largest proportion, so the calculation and selection of grinding equipment and the quality of operation management largely determine the economic benefits of the concentrator.

Iron ore distribution

World iron ore resources are concentrated in Australia, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, India, the United States, Canada, South Africa and other countries. As the world's largest iron ore demander, China's own iron ore reserves are not small, but its grade is relatively low. From the perspective of industrial economy, it is best to import from countries rich in iron ore such as Australia and Brazil.

Iron ore that can be directly put into steelmaking furnace is called "open hearth rich ore" and iron ore that can be directly used for ironmaking is called "blast furnace rich ore", both of which have the word "rich". These rich minerals are preferably magnetite and hematite, and their iron content is above 70%.