Hematite

Hematite, the primary ore of iron, is a sedimentary rock that forms when iron and oxygen (and sometimes other substances) combine in solution and deposit as a sediment.

Iron ore may be used to produce pig iron, one of the main materials used in the production of steel. A large percent of mined iron ore is used for this purpose. Aside from steel, iron is often alloyed with different types of metals and used in industries and applications such as: soldering, electronics & technology manufacturing, mechanical & motor manufacturing, and chemical-laboratory purposes. Each different pairing of metals, and each variation of these alloyed-metals metal ratios, yields a product with a distinct set of properties.

Additional Notes:
* Fe₂O₃ the main iron compound of mineral hematite, is known as ferric oxide and as rust.
* Certain hematite ores containing up to 66% iron can be fed directly into iron-making blast furnaces.