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The Amazing Story of Iron: How Did the Metal's Journey from a Supernova to Earth Begin?
Iron, this metal is not only an indispensable material in our daily life, but also a witness to human history. Steel is everywhere in the buildings and vehicles around us, but the origin of it all can be traced back to the universe millions of light years away. There, distant stars produced iron through a process called nuclear fusion, and when they died they spread the element to different corners of the universe, eventually forming the Earth as we know it.
The story of iron's formation is a journey across time and space, beginning with a supernova explosion in the universe.
On the earth's surface, iron ores exist mainly in the form of iron oxides, including black diamonds, hematite and limonite. The ores range in color from dark gray-black to reddish-brown, providing a diverse visual expression of their rich iron oxide content. Modern industrial advances have made the iron refining process more efficient, allowing us to extract extremely rich iron from these ores and apply it to various industries.
According to recent data, global iron ore production exceeds 2 billion metric tons per year. 98% of iron ore is used to produce steel, a key raw material for construction, transportation and other uses. Financial experts have expressed their opinions, pointing out that iron ore's impact on the global economy is second only to oil, which shows its importance.
In 2011, the Financial Times quoted analysts as saying: Iron ore's impact on the global economy is as great as any other commodity, perhaps only comparable to oil.
However, the story of iron is not limited to mining and use, but also includes alternating recycling. A large amount of tailings are generated during the steel production process. For every ton of iron ore produced, approximately 2.5 to 3 tons of tailings are discharged. These tailings are rich in other useful metals, such as copper and nickel, and can also become a source of new materials after recycling.
The methods of mining iron vary depending on the type of ore. The mainstream mining methods include black diamonds, green rocks and limonite, while technological improvements have enabled low-grade iron ore resources to be developed and utilized. This not only improves the recovery rate of iron ore, but also promotes the implementation of eco-friendly mining policies.
Traditional mining methods are being challenged, and new recycling technologies allow us to use resources more efficiently, which is not only an economic consideration, but also an environmental protection requirement.
When it comes to the applications of iron, its uses are nearly endless and steel is an integral part of our modern lives. However, the process of human development is also accompanied by impacts on the environment. Therefore, while pursuing economic benefits, should our environmental awareness also keep pace with the times?
