Chemistry - Metallurgy Question with Solution | TestHub

The correct option is (A) Oxide ore.

Iron (Fe) is primarily extracted from abundant oxide ores like haematite (Fe₂O₃) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄).

Oxide ores are preferred because they have a high iron content and are easily reduced by carbon monoxide in a blast furnace.

Sulphide ores (FeS₂) are avoided because roasting them releases polluting SO₂ gas and leaves behind sulfur impurities that make the metal brittle.

Carbonate ores like siderite (FeCO₃) require an extra, energy-consuming calcination step to convert them into oxides before reduction.