Iron processing
The most widely distributed iron-bearing minerals are oxides, and iron ores consist mainly of hematite (Fe 2 O 3), which is red; magnetite (Fe 3 O 4), which is black; limonite or bog-iron ore (2Fe 2 O 3 ·3H 2 O), which is brown; and siderite (FeCO 3), which is pale brown. Hematite and magnetite are by far the most common types of ore.