Iron ore resources and current production of the transoceanic trade sector of the industry are briefly reviewed and the principal process routes in making iron and steel are summarised. A relatively simple, broadly based categorisation that includes most of the major deposits currently being mined for this trade is adopted, based on long-standing genetic classifications. The petrographic nature of the ores is described. This enables the recognition of many deposits individually and is used here to help in understanding their metallurgical properties. The requisite properties of ores for blast furnace and direct reduction use are outlined including their use as lump (direct charge), as sinter and as pellets. It is considered that the blast furnace/basic oxygen steelmaking process route will continue and that the direct reduction/electric arc furnace route will expand. This will necessitate the maintenance and improvement in product quality and is most likely to be based on the present mining infrastructures. In the long-term, there will have to be some new developments and hydrometallurgical processing techniques may well appear.
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