Mining of iron ores

isic code 071 covers the mining and extraction of iron ores, a critical raw material for the global steel industry. Iron ore is a fundamental input for the production of steel, which is essential for infrastructure, construction, transportation, and a wide range of industrial applications. The mining of iron ores is a significant economic activity, contributing to the GDP of major mining countries and supporting employment in local communities.

The mining of iron ores typically involves the extraction of iron-bearing minerals from the earth's crust, primarily through open-pit mining techniques. The ore is then crushed, screened, and beneficiated to remove impurities and concentrate the iron content. Depending on the ore quality and composition, various processing methods, such as magnetic separation, gravity separation, or flotation, may be employed to enhance the iron content and prepare the ore for further steelmaking processes.

The main inputs required for the mining of iron ores include heavy machinery and equipment for extraction, crushing, and processing the ore, as well as energy sources, such as electricity or diesel fuel, to power the operations. Additionally, the industry relies on a skilled workforce, including miners, geologists, and engineers, to efficiently and safely conduct the mining activities. 081 Mining support service activities also play a crucial role in supporting the iron ore mining industry.

The primary output of the iron ore mining industry is the production of various grades of iron ore, which are then consumed by the 241 Manufacture of basic iron and steel industry for the production of steel. The steel industry is the largest consumer of iron ore, as it uses the ore as a key raw material in the steelmaking process. Other industries, such as 429 Construction of other civil engineering projects, 451 Sale of motor vehicles, and 452 Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, also rely on the steel produced from iron ore as an essential input for their operations.