|
|
|
Iron
Iron ore is a mineral substance from which metallic iron can
be extracted. Iron ore will yield metallic iron (Fe) when it
is heated in the presence of a reductant. The iron itself is
usually found in the form of magnetite (Fe3O4) or hematite (Fe2O3),
both of which are iron oxides.
Most iron ore (98%) is used in the production of steel and is
mined in about 50 countries.
Links: EUROFER-The
European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries,
IISI-The
International Iron and Steel Institute
World Iron Ore Production
in Tonnes
| |
2001
|
2002
|
| Brazil |
208700.000
|
239.400.000
|
| Australia |
181.100.000
|
187.200.000
|
| China* |
102.600.000
|
108.800.000
|
| India |
79.200.000
|
87.000.000
|
| Russia |
82.500.000
|
84.236.000
|
| Ukraine |
54.679.000
|
58.897.000
|
| United States |
45.800.000
|
51.500.000
|
| South Africa |
34.800.000
|
36.500.000
|
| Canada |
27.119.000
|
30.968.000
|
| Venezuela |
19.000.000
|
20.900.000
|
| Sweden |
19.500.000
|
20.300.000
|
| Kazakhstan |
14.100.000
|
15.423.000
|
| Mexico |
11.500.000
|
12.000.000
|
| Iran |
10.300.000
|
11.300.000
|
| Mauritania |
10.300.000
|
9.600.000
|
| Others |
30.200.000
|
28.300.000
|
| Total World |
931.398.000
|
1.002.324.000
|
Source: Natural Resources Canada; Macquarie Equities Research;
UNCTAD
Note*: A conversion factor was applied to China´s production
so that its % Fe content is about equal to that, on average,
in the rest of the world.
EU 30 Production of Iron Ore
in Tonnes
| |
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Austria |
1.855.000
|
1.839.141
|
1.935.500
|
| Bulgaria |
5.88.800
|
324.800
|
373.000
|
| France |
31.319
|
36.587
|
21.367
|
| Germany*/** |
461.525
|
407.002
|
419.371
|
| Norway |
470.000
|
395.000
|
490.000
|
| Portugal* |
11.800
|
11.000***
|
10.000***
|
| Romania |
116.000
|
292.000
|
296.000
|
| Slovakia |
447.055
|
435.492
|
326.300
|
| Spain |
75.054
|
55.058
|
25.177
|
| Sweden |
20.557.000
|
19.486.000
|
20.281.000
|
| Turkey |
4.076.257
|
4.434.621
|
3.432.775
|
| United Kingdom |
1.033
|
510
|
464
|
| EU 30 Total |
28.691.000
|
27.717.000
|
27.611.000
|
Source: Eurpean Mineral Statistics 1998-2002, British Geological
Survey
Notes: * Including manganiferous iron ore
**Used as aggregate in the construction industry
*** Source: US Geological Survey
|
|
|
