Steel is primarily made from iron ore, a naturally occurring compound essential for this fundamental material.
The Core Ingredient: Iron Ore
The production of steel begins with iron ore. As stated in the reference, steel is made from this key raw material. Iron ore is found in nature and is a compound containing iron, oxygen, and various other minerals. These raw materials must first be mined before they can be processed into steel.
Transforming Iron Ore into Steel
Once mined, the raw materials, predominantly iron ore, are transformed into steel through specific processes. The reference highlights two main routes used in modern steelmaking:
- The blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace route: This traditional method typically uses iron ore, coke (a form of coal), and limestone to produce molten iron in a blast furnace, which is then refined into steel in a basic oxygen furnace.
- The electric arc furnace route: This method primarily uses recycled scrap steel, melting it with powerful electric arcs. Additional iron ore or direct reduced iron (DRI) can also be used in this process.
Both processes utilize the iron derived from iron ore (either directly or via recycling steel made from it) to create new steel, showcasing the central role of this mined compound in steel production.
