China begins mining iron from tailings, low-grade ore that can meet its demand for decades

China has introduced an industrial-scale facility to extract iron from discarded mine tailings and ultra-low-grade ore, potentially lasting decades and diminishing its reliance on overseas supplies. This production line, certified by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and now functioning smoothly, can manage 5.56 million tonnes of refractory iron ore and tailings yearly.

Given China's status as the world's largest iron ore consumer, absorbing over half of the global supply, which is primarily sourced from Australia and Brazil, this development could significantly bolster the nation's bargaining power and supply security.

China possesses a fourth-largest collection of iron ore reserves; however, most are low grade, with nearly half being too hard and expensive to process using traditional methods. By transforming these challenging ores into valuable resources, the new technology aims to maximize the utilization of existing reserves. The innovative magnetising roasting technique, developed by researchers at CAS' Institute of Process Engineering, meticulously refines the extraction process so that non-magnetic iron minerals become magnetic, effectively converting old waste into usable material.

The technology enhances iron content from 11 percent in the tailings to 65 percent in the concentrate.

This groundbreaking project, located in Anshan, Liaoning province, a traditional steelmaking hub, comprises three production lines, each yielding 1.85 million tonnes of iron concentrate annually, beginning operations in January. According to Ansteel, a state-owned steel giant, the facility currently generates 2.2 million tonnes of iron concentrate per year, using 35 percent less energy than conventional methods, thereby lowering costs.

The project has been recognized as a green and low-carbon demonstration project by China's National Development and Reform Commission. However, despite this significant advancement, China will likely still need to import iron from Australia and Brazil, as in 2025, the country imported over 1.25 billion tonnes of ore, far exceeding what this single line can produce.

Regardless, this technological breakthrough turns waste tailings into a useful reserve, presenting a promising new path forward. The project serves as a cornerstone in Ansteel Group's broader plan to process 24 million tonnes of iron tailings annually.