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Direct Reduced Iron

Direct Reduced Iron is an intermediate iron product used primarily as feedstock in electric arc furnace steelmaking. The material is produced by chemically reducing iron ore pellets or lumps with a reducing gas, typically derived from natural gas or coal, at temperatures below the melting point of iron. Unlike blast furnace ironmaking, which produces molten pig iron, the direct reduction process yields a solid, porous metallic iron product with a high iron content of 90% to 95%. Direct Reduced Iron offers steelmakers greater flexibility in raw material sourcing and can be produced at smaller scales than traditional blast furnaces. The product is particularly valued in regions with abundant natural gas supplies, where it provides a cost-effective route to steel production. Direct Reduced Iron has gained prominence in global decarbonisation efforts because electric arc furnaces using this feedstock generate significantly lower carbon emissions than conventional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace steelmaking routes. Major producing regions include the Middle East, India, Russia and North America, where natural gas availability and electricity infrastructure support economically viable operations. The technology has become increasingly strategic as steelmakers seek to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining production flexibility and quality standards.

Direct Reduced Iron Updates


LKAB iron pellets
Swedish mining group LKAB gets permit for fossil-free iron sponge plant
15th June 2026 By: Reuters

Swedish mining group LKAB has received approval from a Swedish environmental court for its plan to build a fossil-free sponge iron plant at its Malmberget site in Gallivare, the court said on... 


Image of iron-ore pellets
Zanaga iron-ore project, Congo-Brazzaville – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Zanaga Iron Ore Company has completed the project development strategy programme. 


ZIOC provides update on strategic investment in iron ore project
ZIOC provides update on strategic investment in iron ore project
6th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Zanaga Iron Ore Company (ZIOC) has successfully completed the project development strategy programme for its Zanaga iron-ore project, in Congo-Brazzaville, which now includes the results... 


Green hydrogen rotary kiln.
Namibian pilot unlocks hydrogen-based path to green steel using low-grade iron-ore
1st May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

A green hydrogen breakthrough in Namibia is opening the way for decarbonised steel using iron-ore of considerably lower grade. In an electrically powered hydrogen rotary kiln, 80 t of Australian... 


Vale iron-ore operation
Iran war allows Australia to revive green iron ambitions
14th April 2026 By: Reuters

The conflict in the Middle East has cracked open the door for Australia to speed up the development of a handful of green iron projects as part of efforts to cut emissions from producing steel.... 


Guinea’s Simandou to become largest driver of seaborne iron-ore supply growth – WoodMac
Guinea’s Simandou to become largest driver of seaborne iron-ore supply growth – WoodMac
1st April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

The emergence of Guinea's Simandou as a large-scale, high-grade iron-ore supplier marks a significant change in the global seaborne iron-ore market. According to consultancy Wood Mackenzie... 


The BlackRock iron-ore pellet project will be located near infrastructure, situated on the Port of Saguenay.
Iran conflict highlights need for North American iron-ore pellet capacity
12th March 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canada-based Strategic Resources says the ongoing tensions in Iran and the Persian Gulf underscore the need to accelerate development of iron-ore pellet capacity in North America, as geopolitical... 


Santos signs gas supply agreement for Whyalla Steelworks
20th February 2026 By: Reuters

Australia's Santos said on Friday it has signed an agreement with the South Australian government to supply 20 petajoules (PJ) of gas annually over 10 years to help transform Whyalla Steelworks... 


Image of iron-ore pellets
Zesty green iron demonstration plant, Australia
6th February 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Zero Emissions Steel Technology, or Zesty, is being positioned as a pathway for using Pilbara iron-ore in lower-emissions steelmaking. 


Image of iron-ore bucket reclaimer
Zanaga iron-ore project, Congo-Brazzaville – update
9th January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Zanaga Iron Ore Company has completed a value enhancement initiative on the project. 


Iron ore
Zanaga completes project value enhancement workstreams
6th January 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Zanaga Iron Ore Company (ZIOC) has completed a value enhancement initiative at its Zanaga iron-ore project, in Congo-Brazzaville, stating that the various workstreams have delivered... 


Tsodilo continues research collaboration with Botswana university
1st December 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

TSX-V-listed Tsodilo Resources, which owns the Xaudum iron project (XIF), in Botswana, has pledged to continue its research collaboration with the Department of Chemical, Materials and... 


WA govt backs Rio Tinto pilot for low-emissions iron production
19th November 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

The Western Australian government has welcomed Rio Tinto’s new low-emissions iron-ore processing pilot in Kwinana, describing it as a key initiative to decarbonise the state’s largest export and... 


Rio Tinto Iron Ore CE Matthew Holcz says the pilot could help progress a pathway for Pilbara ores in low emissions steelmaking.
Rio Tinto pauses BioIron, partners on new low-emissions steel pilot
17th November 2025 By: Mariaan Webb

Diversified miner Rio Tinto has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Australian environmental technology firm Calix to support the proposed Zesty green iron demonstration plant in... 


BHP chief commercial officer Rag Udd
BHP, Posco to collaborate on near-zero emissions ironmaking technology
4th November 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Iron-ore miner BHP Group and steelmaker Posco have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance hydrogen-based ironmaking technology as part of efforts to decarbonise the steel sector, the... 


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pqt: 0.096s - ct: 0.156s - 250pq - 2rq
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