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1. Introduction
- An introduction to Ferrum Consultants, and the experience the team brings to the Masterclass
2. Iron Ore – What is it?
- Geological genesis – A brief description of the general theories of iron ore deposition
- Major ore types
- An analysis of their formation and relationship with each other
- Hematite, magnetite, goethite, exotic
- A description of the forms of occurrence, BIF, massive hematite, taconite, itabirite, CID, detrital, Marra Mamba and more
- Typical grade and physical properties
3. Iron ore – Where is it?
An outline of global major producing regions
A review of recent, current and future production & exports Products
Major players (some dealt with in more detail on Day 2)
Issues specific to each region which effect the iron ore industry including:
- Australia
- South America
- North America
- South Africa
- India
- China
- Sweden
- Central Europe / Russia
4. Iron ore – How is it extracted and processed?
- Mining methods
- Underground, open cut, as a by-product (Olympic Dam)
- An analysis of equipment used in the mining process
- Mineral dressing/processing – An analysis of the various processing steps for major ore types; high grade hematite, CID, MM, detrital, magnetite, hematitic BIF, magnetic BIF
- Products - an A-Z guide to the various final products and a review of the typical grade and physical properties;
- Lumps
- Fines
- Concentrates
- Pellets
5. Iron ore – How is it used?
- The iron & steel industry
- Where did it start?
- Where is it today? (major players dealt with on Day 2)
- Other aspects – Paint, pipe coating
6. Iron ore – How is it transported?
- Inland
- Major trade routes and tonnes
- What is the future?
- Sea
- Major trade routes and tonnes
- Major loadports
- Major disports
- Bulk Shipping trade and its future
7. Iron ore – Metallurgy
- BF/BOF process
- Raw materials/preparation
- Plant configuration/flowsheet
- Intermediate processes, (sinter, coke, reduction, smelting)
- Products
- DRI / HBI / EAF process
- Raw materials/preparation
- Plant configuration/flowsheet
- Intermediate processes (reduction, smelting)
- Products
- Direct Smelting
- Raw materials/preparation
- Plant configuration
- Process
- Product
- Value in Use
- What is it, how is calculated?
- How is it used?
8. History of the modern iron ore industry
- The early years – What were the economic and political drivers?
- The Role of the JSM (Japanese Steel Mills)
- The Genesis of Benchmark pricing (more on pricing in Section 12).
- Where we are today?
9. Major iron ore producers – A brief history of operations, products, and future plans
- Vale
- Rio Tinto
- BHPB
- Others – FMG….
10. Major steel producers – A brief history of operations, products, and future plans
- Arcelor-Mittal
- JSM’s
- POSCO
- Baosteel
- Shougang
11. Iron ore contact
- FOB/CIF/FAS contracts
- Term of contract – LT or spot
- Pricing mechanisms
12. Iron ore industry issues
- Growth of BRICS (Brasil, Russia, India, China)
- An analysis of the gap between steel intensity in BRICs and first world economies
- What does this mean for the future?
- Consolidation of existing consumers and producers – Implications for the future
- Recent activity
- Future possibilities
