Iron is dug out from mines. It is one of the most useful metals. Iron that we use is the refined form of iron ore. It is crushed by machines and melted in hot furnaces. Thus, pig or cast iron is made. After this, through different processes, wrought iron is made. Steel is prepared from it. The two important mineral ores of iron are magnetite and haematite. Both of them are available in India. The major iron-ore producing states are Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Iron has many uses. It is called the backbone of modem civilization. So many necessary things, like scissors and razors, trains and trams, blades, bridges and buildings are made from iron. There is hardly any sphere of our life where iron is not used.
