Industrial minerals
Iron Ore Concentrate / Hematite / Magnetite — 62–67% Fe Bulk
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Key parameters
Full specification
| Iron (Fe) | 62–67% (grade-dependent) |
| Silica (SiO2) | 4.0% max |
| Alumina (Al2O3) | 2.0% max |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.08% max |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.02% max |
| Moisture | 8% max (shipping moisture) |
| Particle size — fines | 0–10 mm, 90% min on sieve |
| Particle size — concentrate | 0–6 mm, 95% min on sieve |
| Loss on ignition (LOI) | 1.5% max (hematite); 3.0% max (magnetite) |
| Material type | Hematite, magnetite or beneficiated concentrate |
| HS code | 2601.11 |
Full product details
Product overview
Iron ore is the primary feedstock for global steel production. We supply three trade forms: beneficiated concentrate (65–67% Fe after crushing and magnetic or flotation recovery), natural hematite fines (62–64% Fe, Fe2O3 mineralogy) and magnetite concentrate (63–67% Fe, Fe3O4 with higher specific gravity). All grades feed blast furnace burden, sinter plants and pelletising lines at integrated mills across the Middle East, South Asia and Mediterranean.
Concentrate carries lower silica (4.0% max) and alumina (2.0% max) than typical run-of-mine fines, reducing slag volume and coke consumption per tonne of hot metal. Hematite from Black Sea and MENA origins suits direct sinter charging; magnetite from beneficiation plants is preferred for pellet feed where higher Fe and lower gangue improve pellet strength and reducibility in the shaft furnace.
Typical buyers include steel producers securing annual ore contracts for Gulf blast furnaces, trading houses building panamax parcels for Indian and Turkish mills, and pellet producers blending magnetite concentrate with flux and binder. HS code 2601.11.
Loading ports & logistics
Iron ore loads in gearless or geared bulk carriers at rates of 15,000–25,000 MT per day at export terminals on the Black Sea, India and the Middle East. Moisture certification and transportable moisture limit (TML) testing are mandatory before vessel nomination — fines and concentrate are IMSBC Code Group A cargoes with liquefaction risk if moisture exceeds certified limits.
Minimum parcel size is 25,000 MT for FOB vessel contracts; smaller lots may be arranged via transhipment hubs. CFR and CIF quotations add ocean freight and marine insurance to the FOB ore price. We nominate handysize to capesize tonnage aligned with draft limits at your steel mill jetty or bulk-handling berth. Contract lead time is 12–25 days from payment instrument confirmation to first day of laycan.
Pellet feed grinding to finer fractions (e.g. −200 mesh) can be arranged at origin on request — quoted separately from the bulk ore price.
Packaging & documentation
Iron ore ships as unbagged bulk in vessel holds. Each lot includes a certificate of analysis showing Fe, SiO2, Al2O3, moisture and particle size distribution. On request we arrange SGS or equivalent pre-shipment inspection at load port, including moisture/TML can-test and hold cleanliness survey before vessel nomination.
Standard document set: commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin and certificate of analysis. IMSBC Code compliance documentation — including moisture certificate and TML — is included in the shipping package. Hold trimming and ventilation instructions are provided to prevent cargo shift during ocean transit.
FAQ
What is the difference between hematite, magnetite and iron ore concentrate?
Hematite (Fe2O3) is the dominant natural ore in most export blends; magnetite (Fe3O4) carries higher Fe content but requires grinding and magnetic separation before pelletising. Concentrate is the beneficiated product after crushing, grinding and flotation or magnetic recovery — typically 65–67% Fe with lower silica and alumina than run-of-mine fines.
Which Fe grade should a Gulf steel mill target for blast furnace burden?
Integrated mills in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt typically blend 62% Fe fines with 65–67% Fe concentrate to balance coke rate and slag volume. Higher Fe grades reduce flux and coke consumption per tonne of hot metal; we match origin and mineralogy to your sinter plant or direct-charge furnace recipe.
Does iron ore concentrate carry liquefaction risk on bulk vessels?
Yes. Fines and concentrate with moisture above the certified transportable moisture limit (TML) can liquefy under vessel motion. Pre-loading moisture certification, can-test and IMSBC Code Group A compliance are mandatory. We nominate surveyor inspection at load port before vessel clearance.