Mining of iron ores

NACE code 07.1 covers the mining and extraction of iron ores, a critical raw material for the global steel industry. Iron ore is an essential input for the production of steel, which is widely used in construction, transportation, machinery, and a variety of other industries. The mining of iron ores is a significant economic activity, contributing to the GDP of major iron ore producing countries and supporting employment in mining communities.

The mining of iron ores typically involves the extraction of iron-bearing rock or mineral from the earth's surface or subsurface. This is commonly done through open-pit mining techniques, where large-scale excavation equipment is used to remove the overburden and access the iron ore deposits. The extracted iron ore is then crushed, screened, and processed to remove impurities, resulting in a concentrated iron ore product that can be used in steelmaking.

The main inputs required for the mining of iron ores include heavy machinery and equipment such as excavators, haul trucks, and crushing and processing plants. Additionally, the industry relies on a skilled workforce, including miners, geologists, and engineers, as well as access to reliable transportation infrastructure to move the extracted iron ore to steel production facilities or ports for export.

The primary output of the iron ore mining industry is the concentrated iron ore product, which is then consumed by the 24.1 Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys industry for the production of various steel products. The steel industry is a major consumer of iron ore, and the availability and quality of iron ore supplies are critical factors in the global steel market.