The following list of countries represents the countries that produce the most iron in the world. Of course, it’s iron ore we’re talking about here. Precious rocks and minerals from which the iron ore is extracted have changed our world from the ground up. Without iron ore, we wouldn’t have had most of the things we have today. Just imagine a world without skyscrapers, long bridges, cars and other means of transportations, etc.
Oldest evidences of iron ore use date back to 1200 BC and modern-day Anatolia, Turkey. Newly discovered raw material at the time ushered the world into a new era. Iron age spread across the globe in order to last until the year 800 AD in Sub-Saharan Africa. It, however, only lasted until 500 BC in the epicenter of its origins. Needless to say, first civilizations that have gotten their hands on the precious iron have put themselves in a commanding position, technologically speaking. This also means they were much more capable in almost every single aspect than their ironless rivals, including warfare, agriculture, and trading for instance. Times have changed radically since then, but major iron ore exporters still happen to have the upper hand in today’s economy. Things aren’t as extreme as they were back in the day, but leading iron producers are still more or less developed countries
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We have gathered the relevant mine production data from United States Geological Survey and Iron Ore Facts, but we have consulted Statista as well. This means that only iron ore dug up in the world’s mines (mine production ore) has been taken into account. Most up to date data is for 2014, and that’s our reference year too. You can also check on this list of the biggest mines in the world: from Barrick Gold Corporation (USA) (ABX) to Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX). Note that most of these mines produce various types of minerals as single ore type rarely comes alone.
Finally, this list of 8 countries that produce the most iron in the world consists of two sets of data mashed up together. 2014 mine production iron ore has been compared between two of the aforementioned sources and averages have been calculated. All figures are expressed in thousands of metric tons gross weight. Finally, a few notes will appear here and there because it’s somewhat complicated gathering uniformed information for such a complex process as iron ore excavation – especially when it’s on a global scale.
8. The United States
The United States produces most iron ore through their Michigan and Minnesota mines – a whopping 98% of country’s total production to be more precise. For 2014, United States Geological Survey reports a total production of 56 thousand metric tons, while Iron Ore Facts report 58 thousand metric tons. Of course, our average would then be 57 thousand metric tons.
7. Ukraine
Most of Ukraine’s iron ore comes from the war-engulfed Donets Basin (Donbass) region located towards the Russian border. Donetsk and Luhansk regions alone produced around 30% of Ukraine’s iron ore. USGS reports 68 thousand metric tons, while IOF reports 82 thousand metric tons. Average amounts to 75 thousand metric tons, but war has certainly crippled Ukraine’s mining industry and more recent figures are certainly lower.
6. South Africa
South Africa is Africa’s largest iron ore producer with 81 thousand metric tons, according to the United States Geological Survey. Iron Ore Facts have left South Africa out of their report, but Statista gives us the same 81 thousand metric tons for 2014 – probably because they use USGS’s data.
5. Russia
Russia is the world’s fifth largest producer of iron ore and 60% of their mined iron comes from Kursk Magnetic Anomaly in Kursk, Belgorod and Voronezh regions. For 2014, Russia has produced 102 thousand metric tons of iron ore, according to USGS or 105 thousand metric tons according to IOF. That’s an average of 103.5 thousand metric tons.
4. India
India earns number four spot on this list of 8 countries that produce the most iron in the world. South Asian country produced 129 thousand metric tons of iron ore during 2014 if USGS is to be trusted, and 150 thousand metric tons if IOF is the source. On average, India produced 139.5 thousand metric tons in 2014.
3. Brazil
Biggest South American iron ore producer – Brazil has a yearly yield of 411 thousand metric tons, according to United States Geological Survey. The number sits at 320 thousand metric tons, according to Iron Ore Facts and the average is 365.5 thousand metric tons. A large chunk of Brazil’s mined iron come out of world’s largest iron mine – Carajás Mine.
2. Australia
Australia is world’s second biggest iron ore producer with 774 thousand metric tons a year according to USGS. IOF, on the other hand, reports a yield of 660 thousand metric tons and two figures average 717 thousand metric tons. Most of Australian iron ore deposits are located in Western Australia.
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1. China
Number one spot on this list of 8 countries that produce the most iron in the world goes to none other than China. China produces 1,510 thousand metric tons of crude iron ore, according to USGS, while IOF reports a rounded figure of 1,500 thousand metric tons. Average is 1,505 thousand metric tons. While China produces almost half of the world’s iron ore, it’s still the biggest iron importer at the same time.
