Steel:

The steel word is used for all kinds of alloys that iron is the major element, although there are some another alloys in all different steel, but the iron is the most important element. The carbon rate of steel maybe changed between 0.3 – 1.5 percent. The ferrous alloys with less than 0.3% of carbon is called iron and the others with more than 1.5% carbon is mainly called cast-iron, as well the raw cast-iron is named iron.

Steel Classification:

In general, there are two commercial steels: carbon steel and alloy steel.

Carbon steel contains carbon, manganese 1.65% at the max, modest rates of silicon and aluminum and copper. It can be used in making of car frame, home appliance, machineries, vessel, building structure and etc.

Alloy steel contains nickel, chromium, tungsten, titanium, manganese.

Main Usage of Steel and Iron:

The iron is the second metal and fourth element on earth. Because of the abundance and transmittance of iron ore on earth, this metal is the most inexpensive and widely consumed one currently. In addition, it can be indicated to capabilities of alloying, heating operations and etc. that gives rise to create varied specifications of iron and steel, so that variation range is extended from pin and needle till ocean-going vessels and skyscrapers. Generally, more than 70% of steel and iron in industrial countries is applied for three groups of transportation, construction and machineries.

Steel Consuming Industries

Universal Trade Patterns of Iron and Steel:

Todays, the steel business has become one of the world’s major exchanges, whereas the country’s steel consumption and exports is considered as an important indicator in assessing the country’s economic growth. About 73 countries are steel manufactures and they have changed the iron to one of the widest mine articles.

According to the estimates, the universal iron sources contain 64.6 billion tons of iron that have been placed in the ventricle of 151 billion tons of ore.

Nowadays, the universal steel production is about 1.4 billion tons; in fact, this amount is very small compared to production in Iran, therefore, the steel price fluctuations and market conditions, it would further undermine the global price.

Currently, China is allocated to the first place of steel production in the world by producing more than 450 million tons per year.

Iran is the first place of steel production in the Middle East at present. It appears that countries are going to produce steel via electric arc furnace method with using scrap iron; they will be faced with the problem of scrap production. Meanwhile, the countries with natural gas and mine sources will be faced with small issues. Our country – IRAN – will be faced with big issues in the future by construction of the final products of steel plants without the support of ingots.

Market Survey of Steel and Iron Ore as important Product:

The production of iron ore at the first decade of 2000 was more than 1008 million tons, in this regard, the international trade of iron rocks rose to 512 million tons. Meanwhile, Brazil is at the first place by producing 239 million tons and Australia and India by producing 187 and 86 million tons respectively are in the next places.

Exports of iron rocks, Australia (176 million tons), Brazil (170 million tons) and India (31 million tons) have been placed from the first to third position respectively.

There are long iron furnace 17%, concentrate 22%, plate 23%, and sinter 38% of total iron rocks production.

Raw Substances for Steel Production:

There are four groups of raw and semi-raw substances as follows:

1-     Iron bearing mineral is the most basic material of steel production.

2-     Iron scrap

3-     Iron regenerative material of mineral stones (natural gas and coal).

4-     Additives in order to simplification of steel production process or put quality.

5-     Consumables such as fireproofs.

Metallogeny of Iron in Iran and Province:Metallogeny of Iron in Iran and Province:

Reserves of iron is not limited to any particular period and approximately formed in all geologic eras. In Iran, iron formation has been done from late Proterozoic to Quaternary, but the maximum of iron in Iran has been stockpiled in late Proterozoic, former Ordovician and OligoMiocene, so that known reserves Paleozoic, Triassic, Cretaceous are not comparable. Studies suggest that total reserves of iron rocks in northwest of Iran including Zanjan, Ardebil, and East and West Azarbaijan does not have a significant role than the other regions such as central Iran.

Pluralization of total reserves of iron stones in northwest of Iran indicates that the maximum iron is in Zanjan and then East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan and Ardebil respectively. The most deposits in relation with Tertiary Plutonic mass activity have been formed and they are largely similar together in terms of ore type and grade. Total storage of each province is as follows:

Source: East Azarbaijan Industries and Mine Organization