What is Iron?

Iron is the fourth most common element found in the Earth’s crust, making up 5%.

The most common surface mining methods used for mining of iron ores are open pit mining methods and open cut mining methods.

Iron is used to make the metal alloy steel by combing iron and carbon together.

When iron reacts with oxygen, in an environment containing water (such as moisture in the air), it creates rust (iron oxide).

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Animals and plants need iron. Plants use iron in chlorophyll, the pigment used in photosynthesis. Humans use iron in haemoglobin molecules in blood to allow for the transport of oxygen to tissues throughout the body.
It takes less energy to create iron and steel from recycled iron than from iron ore, and it can be recycled forever.
The surface of Mars gets its red colour from iron oxide otherwise known as rust.
Iron is used in construction and building materials, such as reinforced concrete, and pipes. It is less expensive than steel, but not as strong or durable.
Iron is malleable, able to be thinned out when hit with a hammer, while steel (iron mixed with a little carbon) is stronger and does not stretch as much.
Iron ore is found in sedimentary rocks, including hematite, magnetite, goethite, limonite and siderite.