Hematite is an iron oxide mineral. It is non-magnetic and has colour variations ranging from steel silver to reddish brown. Pure hematite contains 69.9% Fe by molecular weight. It has been the dominant iron ore mined in Australia since the early 1960s. Approximately 96% of Australia's iron ore exports are high-grade hematite, the bulk of which has been mined from deposits in the Hamersley province of Western Australia. The Brockman Iron Formation in this province is the most significant host for high-grade hematite iron ore deposits.

Magnetite is an iron oxide mineral that is generally black and highly magnetic. The latter property aids in the beneficiation of magnetite ores. Magnetite contains 72.4% Fe by molecular weight, which is higher than hematite, but magnetite ores having lower ore grade (generally 20-30% Fe) owing to the presence of impurities. This results in higher costs for the production of concentrate for steel smelters.