Processing Startup for Iron in United States
U.S. Steel Corp. began production of direct‑reduction grade iron ore pellets at the Keetac Mine in Minnesota, increasing high‑grade pellet output for steelmaking.
Iron trade
Iron is a vital commodity with a wide range of applications and origins. It's primarily sourced from iron ore, which undergoes extraction, refinement, and processing to create various iron-based products. As these products reach the end of their life cycle or become obsolete, they're often recycled into iron scrap or waste, serving as a crucial input material for new iron and steel production. Iron is used extensively in construction materials, machinery, and industrial products due to its durability, malleability,...
Iron is a vital commodity with a wide range of applications and origins. It's primarily sourced from iron ore, which undergoes extraction, refinement, and processing to create various iron-based products. As these products reach the end of their life cycle or become obsolete, they're often recycled into iron scrap or waste, serving as a crucial input material for new iron and steel production.
Iron is used extensively in construction materials, machinery, and industrial products due to its durability, malleability, and abundance. Construction industries rely on iron and steel products for building materials like rebar, girders, and rods. It's also widely used in the production of automobiles, heavy machinery, appliances, and tools.
Iron is traded globally through various channels, including direct sales between businesses, online platforms, and commodity exchanges. Trade often involves iron scrap transported in bulk quantities via ships, trains, or trucks, depending on distance and volume. The trade contributes significantly to the global economy and environmental sustainability by reducing iron ore mining demand and conserving natural resources.
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Market intelligence
U.S. Steel Corp. began production of direct‑reduction grade iron ore pellets at the Keetac Mine in Minnesota, increasing high‑grade pellet output for steelmaking.
Seasonal closures of the Soo Locks, the primary Great Lakes shipping route for iron ore, disrupted U.S. production, shipments, and trade from January through May 2024.
Completion of a $150 million upgrade at U.S. Steel’s Keetac Mine in Minnesota expanded the plant’s capacity to produce direct‑reduction grade iron ore pellets.
Transformation of Hoover Color Corp. mine property into a park in Virginia, effectively closing the mine and ending iron ore extraction.
Lanxess expanded production of micronized iron oxide red pigments at its Krefeld-Uerdingen plant, increasing iron pigment output.
Closure of three Venator Materials PLC facilities in the United States, reducing domestic iron pigment production capacity.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. began construction of a 1.9‑Mt/yr hot‑briquetted iron plant at a Toledo, OH brownfield site, expanding domestic iron production capacity.
Tariff for iron, pig iron, or steel granules (item 7205.10.0000) was set to free for imports into the United States on 31 December 2017.
Essar Steel Minnesota filed for bankruptcy in 2016 while constructing a 7‑Mt/yr iron ore mine and pelletizing facility.
The Minnesota Executive Council reduced mineral royalty rates for iron ore mined on state lands by 19% through June 2016.
Rio Tinto sold its stake in the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea to Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. in October 2016.
Magnetation LLC’s Grand Rapids, MN, iron ore processing facility was shut down after a bankruptcy court approval in October 2016.
The Empire Mine in Michigan was permanently idled in August 2016, ending its operations.
United Taconite in Minnesota resumed iron ore production in August 2016 after a temporary idling.
The Governor of Michigan requested federal funding in July 2016 to upgrade the Soo Locks, a critical shipping route for iron ore freighters.
Northshore Mining in Minnesota resumed iron ore production in May 2016 after a temporary idling.
Nucor Steel Louisiana’s 2.5‑Mt/yr direct‑reduced iron facility resumed operations in late January 2016.
Australia’s iron ore reserve estimates were revised upward based on new data reported in 2012.
Kazakhstan’s iron ore reserve estimates were revised based on new information in 2012.
Ukraine’s iron ore reserve estimates were revised based on new data in 2012.
Production ramp‑up of the Mesabi Nugget plant continued in 2011, increasing output of iron‑content nuggets.
The 40‑year global benchmarking system for iron ore sales under annual contracts was terminated in April 2010, ending the standardized pricing regime.
LANXESS started modifications to increase efficiency and reduce emissions at its adjacent yellow iron oxide pigment plant.
LANXESS began construction of a new plant in Jinshan, Shanghai to manufacture black iron oxide pigments, with expected operation in late 2010.
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