The Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group Co Ltd will supply 65 percent of its refined iron ore powder itself in 2012, according to a report from the Shanxi provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, on Feb 16.

China is not very self-sufficient in its iron ore supply and relies heavily on imports from Brazil, Australia and India. But, in 2011, Taiyuan Iron & Steel, the world’s largest stainless steel producer, had an output of 5.61 million tons of refined iron ore, or 100,000 tons more than for 2010.

In 2012, the company expects to produce 5.9 million tons of refined iron ore. Its mine in Lvliang will go into operation this year, and should have an annual output of 2 million tons of iron ore powder. The company has an increased production of nearly 2.3 million tons, which will allow the company to supply 65 percent of its refined iron ore needs.

Refined iron ore

Refined iron ore is the raw material used for smelting after it goes through a grinding, separation, and washing process. Iron ore from the mine cannot be used directly for smelting. Refined iron ore is the term normally used by the mineral industry for iron ore powder with a high iron content that can be used to smelt for cast iron.