Iron Ore Global Market Report 2025

Iron mining involves the extraction of iron ore, primarily utilizing surface mining methods due to their cost-effectiveness. In this process, rocks are combined with water and transformed into powder using spinning mills. Magnetism is then employed to separate iron ore from the taconite.

The primary types of iron mining are categorized as construction, manufacturing, and other types. Construction typically refers to the act or result of construing, interpreting, or explaining. In terms of iron, the carbon content leads to different forms, including pig iron, wrought iron, and cast iron. The mining methods encompass both underground mining and surface mining.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are heavily affecting the mining sector, especially in areas such as equipment acquisition, export flows, and supply chain stability. Increased tariffs on imported heavy machinery, drilling tools, and specialized parts have driven up both capital and operational expenditures, leading to delays in project development and reduced production efficiency. Simultaneously, retaliatory tariffs from major trading partners have diminished global demand for U.S. sourced minerals particularly critical resources like lithium, copper, and rare earth elements intensifying revenue challenges. These impacts are hitting mid-sized and niche mining companies the hardest due to their reliance on international markets. In response, the industry is focusing on building domestic equipment supply chains, scaling up mineral recycling programs, and lobbying for tariff relief to regain competitiveness and safeguard long-term resource availability.

The iron ore market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides iron ore market statistics, including iron ore industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an iron ore market share, detailed iron ore market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the iron ore industry. This iron ore market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The iron ore market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $274.12 billion in 2024 to $295.96 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing demand from the energy sector, strong economic growth in emerging markets, increasing construction activities, and growing automotive production.

The iron ore market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $429.06 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing urbanization, the rising healthcare expenditure, and the growing residential sector. Major trends in the forecast period include developing innovative technological tools by using advanced technologies, introducing innovative decarbonization technologies, developing advanced iron ore hubs, collaborating with contemporary companies, launching new digital tools, and leveraging automation in the mining processes.

The forecast of 9.7% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariffs on iron ore or related processing equipment can raise raw material costs for steel producers, affecting multiple downstream industries. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The rise in construction activities is expected to drive growth in the iron ore market moving forward. Construction involves assembling various elements to create structures based on detailed designs and plans. Iron ore is essential for steel production, a key material used in various constructions, including buildings, bridges, and roads. For example, in July 2023, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that during the March quarter of 2023, the number of dwellings under construction increased by 1.3%, reaching 240,813 units-surpassing the previous record of 240,065 units set in the March 2022 quarter. Therefore, the growing construction activities are propelling the growth of the iron ore market.

Rising healthcare expenditure is expected to drive growth in the iron ore market during the forecast period. Healthcare expenditure encompasses all costs related to health services, family planning, nutrition, and emergency assistance, excluding expenses for drinking water and sanitation. Steel, produced from iron ore, is the primary metal used in manufacturing medical equipment. Sanitation and cleanliness are crucial in the medical field, making steel the most prevalent metal in hospitals and emergency rooms globally. Stainless steel is commonly used for hospital beds, disposable hazardous waste buckets, needles, and wheelchairs. For instance, in December 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a U.S. federal agency, reported that U.S. healthcare spending increased by 4.1% in 2022, reaching $4.5 trillion, surpassing the 3.2% growth rate of 2021. Therefore, the rise in healthcare expenditure is driving growth in the iron ore market.

Major companies in the iron ore market are increasingly focused on developing innovative technological tools, such as digital solutions, to enhance mining efficiency, safety, and resource management. Digital solutions encompass advanced technologies like data analytics, real-time monitoring systems, automation, and software tools that optimize mining processes, improve safety, and facilitate better decision-making. For instance, in December 2023, Epiroc, a Sweden-based mining equipment manufacturer, launched new digital solutions for surface mining, including the Blast Support tool aimed at enhancing personnel safety during blasting operations. The updated Situational Awareness application features Zone-based Messages, enabling control room personnel to send real-time alerts to individuals in specific risk zones. By integrating these advanced technologies, Epiroc aims to boost operational efficiency while ensuring safe blasting practices, adapting proven underground solutions for surface mining applications.

Major companies in the iron ore market are increasingly adopting strategic partnerships to develop innovative solutions in iron ore processing. These collaborations allow companies to combine resources and expertise, enhance research and development capabilities, expand market reach, and accelerate commercialization, ultimately driving innovation and growth in the industry. For example, in June 2024, VA Erzberg GmbH, an Austria-based mining company, partnered with EIT RawMaterials, a Germany-based innovation network supported by the European Union, to launch the Net-Zero Iron Ore Challenge. This initiative aims to reduce CO2 emissions and promote sustainable iron ore processing practices.

In January 2023, Cyclone Metals Limited, an Australia-based iron ore company, successfully acquired Labrador Iron Pty Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition allows Cyclone Metals to expand its iron ore portfolio with the addition of the largest magnetite iron ore deposit project. The move reflects a shift towards clean energy and a commitment to reducing global carbon emissions. The unique appeal of magnetite ores positions them favorably compared to hematite ores, contributing to a more environmentally sustainable footprint for the steel industry. Labrador Iron Pty Ltd., based in Canada, specializes in the exploration, development, and mining of iron ore projects.

Major companies operating in the iron ore market include Vale S.A, Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., Anglo American Plc, National Mineral Development Corporation, Metinvest, Angang Steel Company Limited, Ferrexpo, Atlas Iron, Sesa Goa Iron Ore, Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd, M.S India Iron Ore Mines Private Limited, Vedanta Limited, Kudremukh Iron Ore Company, MSPL Limited, ITOCHU Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd, Ansteel Group Corporation Limited, Minmetals Land Limited, Zijin Mining Group Company Limited, Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag, Sydvaranger AS, Rana Gruber AS, Beowulf Mining plc, SIMEC Group, Metalloinvest MC LLC, Severstal Group, Evraz Group SA, NLMK Group, Mechel, Black Iron, ArcelorMittal SA, POSCO, Amaroq Minerals Ltd, Greenland Resources Inc, Bluejay Mining Plc, Redpath Mining Inc, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, United States Steel Corporation, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc, CSN MINERACAO, Kinross Brasil Mineracao SA, AndesMinerals SA, Coro Mining Corp, Ma'aden, Chadormalu Mining & Industrial Co, Golgohar Mining & Industrial Co, KOC Holding AS, Iran Central Iron Ore Co, Kumba Iron Ore Limited, Sedibeng Iron Ore, Assmang, Richards Bay Minerals, African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, Tshipi Borwa Mine, Khumani Mine, Sishen Mine

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the iron ore market in 2024. The regions covered in the iron ore market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the iron ore market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The iron mining market includes revenues earned by entities by making steel, auto parts, and catalyst. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Iron Ore Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on iron ore market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for iron ore ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The iron ore market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Mining Type: Underground Mining, Surface Mining
• 2) By End-Use Industry: Construction, Manufacturing, Other End-Uses
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Underground Mining: Block Caving; Room and Pillar Mining; Shrinkage Stoping
• 2) By Surface Mining: Open-Pit Mining; Strip Mining; Mountaintop Removal Mining
• Companies Mentioned: Vale S.A; Rio Tinto; BHP; Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.; Anglo American Plc; National Mineral Development Corporation; Metinvest; Angang Steel Company Limited; Ferrexpo; Atlas Iron; Sesa Goa Iron Ore; Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd; M.S India Iron Ore Mines Private Limited; Vedanta Limited; Kudremukh Iron Ore Company; MSPL Limited; ITOCHU Corporation; Marubeni Corporation; Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd; Ansteel Group Corporation Limited; Minmetals Land Limited; Zijin Mining Group Company Limited; Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag; Sydvaranger AS; Rana Gruber AS; Beowulf Mining plc; SIMEC Group; Metalloinvest MC LLC; Severstal Group; Evraz Group SA; NLMK Group; Mechel; Black Iron; ArcelorMittal SA; POSCO; Amaroq Minerals Ltd; Greenland Resources Inc; Bluejay Mining Plc; Redpath Mining Inc; Agnico Eagle Mines Limited; United States Steel Corporation; Cleveland-Cliffs Inc; CSN MINERACAO; Kinross Brasil Mineracao SA; AndesMinerals SA; Coro Mining Corp; Ma'aden; Chadormalu Mining & Industrial Co; Golgohar Mining & Industrial Co; KOC Holding AS; Iran Central Iron Ore Co; Kumba Iron Ore Limited; Sedibeng Iron Ore; Assmang; Richards Bay Minerals; African Natural Resources and Mines Limited; Tshipi Borwa Mine; Khumani Mine; Sishen Mine
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.