Iron Ore: World Production, By Country Or Locality

This table presents detailed data on iron ore production worldwide, broken down by country or locality, covering the years 2019 through 2023. It includes figures for both usable ore and the iron content extracted, measured in thousand metric tons. This information is crucial for understanding the global supply dynamics of iron ore, a key raw material in steel manufacturing and various industrial applications. Tracking production trends helps governments, industries, and investors assess market stability, resource availability, and economic health in regions dependent on mining and metallurgy.

Analysis of the data reveals that Australia remains the dominant producer, with usable ore output rising steadily from 917 million metric tons in 2019 to approximately 952.5 million metric tons in 2023, accompanied by a corresponding increase in iron content from 567 million to nearly 589 million metric tons. Brazil follows as a significant contributor, showing a rebound in 2023 to 445 million metric tons of usable ore after a dip in 2022. India also exhibits consistent growth, reaching 278 million metric tons in 2023, up from 233 million in 2019. Conversely, Ukraine’s production sharply declined from 83.8 million metric tons in 2021 to 26.1 million in 2023, likely reflecting geopolitical disruptions. Other notable trends include steady increases in production from Mauritania and Laos, while countries such as China and Russia show fluctuations with slight declines in recent years. Overall, global iron ore production has remained relatively stable around 2.5 billion metric tons annually, underscoring the mineral’s sustained importance in the global economy.