Iran is a major player in the global iron ore market, possessing significant reserves that fuel its substantial steel industry. While many large Iranian deposits contain a mix of magnetite and hematite, several regions are renowned for their high-quality hematite resources.
Here are some of the most prominent deposits and mining areas in Iran, particularly known for their hematite content, perfect for your blog post:
1. Hormuz Island & The Zagros Belt (The Red Mountain)
The most distinct and historically significant source often associated with pure, high-grade hematite is the Hormuz Complex.
- Significance: Hormuz Island is famous for its distinctive red mountains, which are largely composed of massive hematite. This is one of the purest natural sources of iron oxide.
- Classification: These deposits are often associated with salt diapirs in the Zagros structural zone. While historically significant, modern large-scale production often centers on other massive complexes.
2. The Central Iranian Zone (CIZ) – Bafq & Sirjan Regions
This vast region contains Iran’s largest iron ore reserves, including major deposits known for their high iron content, which often includes substantial hematite alongside magnetite.
- Gol-e-Gohar Mine (Sirjan): This is frequently cited as Iran’s most important iron source by total reserves. While the reserve primarily consists of magnetite, the overall district hosts significant quantities of iron oxides, including hematite. It boasts some of the highest average iron grades in the country.
- Bafq District: This area is critical, containing numerous deposits (around 39) with massive iron ore reserves. The ores here are typically Kiruna-type and consist of lenticular bodies of magnetite and hematite.
3. Regional Hematite-Specific Mines
Beyond the giants, specific mines focus on extracting hematite for particular industrial needs:
Ahangaran Mine (Malayer, Hamadan): This deposit is notable for producing low-grade hematite ironstone, which is specifically used as a raw material by Iran’s cement industry.
Rezvan Hematite Mine: Located near Bandar Abbas, this mine is explicitly named for its hematite ore. It has significant reserves and an established annual extraction capacity, supplying raw materials to the domestic steel chain.
