Iron Ore Fines

Iron Ore Fines from Pakistan

Iron ore fines are the fine-grained fraction of mined iron ore, typically below 10 mm in size. They are a dark brown to black granular material with high iron content and are the standard feedstock for sinter plants worldwide. Sintering agglomerates the fines into a porous, strong sinter cake that is then charged into blast furnaces as part of the iron burden. Pakistan’s iron ore mining operations produce substantial volumes of fines as a natural byproduct of lump ore production, ensuring consistent availability and competitive pricing.

Available Sizes

• Standard fines: 0-10 mm

• Screened fines: 0-6 mm, 0-3 mm

• Ultra-fines: 0-1 mm (for pellet feed blending)

• Custom screening available

Industrial Uses

• Sintering: Iron ore fines are the primary raw material for sinter plants. Fines are mixed with coke breeze, limestone, and return fines, then ignited on a sinter strand to produce a strong, porous sinter cake. Sinter typically makes up 60-80% of the iron burden in modern blast furnaces

• Pelletizing: Fine iron ore (ground to -325 mesh) is formed into green pellets, which are then indurated in a pellet kiln to produce hard, round pellets for blast furnace or DRI feed. Fines are either used directly or further ground to pellet feed fineness

• Cement manufacturing: Iron ore fines are added to cement raw mix as an iron-corrective material to provide Fe₂O₃ for clinker formation. Typical addition rate is 1-3% of the raw mix

• Ferro-alloy production: Iron ore fines are used as a source of iron in submerged arc furnaces producing ferro-alloys

• Heavy concrete and counterweights: Iron ore fines are used as high-density aggregate in heavyweight concrete for radiation shielding, pipeline weighting, and ballast applications

• Pigments: Finely ground iron ore fines serve as a natural source of red-brown iron oxide pigment for paints, stains, and coatings

• Soil amendment: Iron-rich fines are used in agriculture as a natural iron supplement for iron-deficient soils

Quality Assurance

Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis reporting Fe (total), SiO₂, Al₂O₃, P, S, TiO₂, MnO, CaO, MgO, LOI, moisture, and size distribution. Pre-shipment samples are provided for buyer approval. Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, or equivalent) can be arranged. TML certification is provided for bulk vessel shipments as per IMSBC Code.