IRON ORE.

The current state and prospects of iron ore production in Australia are reviewed. Total Australian reserves of readily usable, high-grade ores are reported at 21. 6 billion mt, with a further 17 billion mt of high-phosphorus ore classified as identified 'paramarginal' resources. An additional 6. 5 trillion mt of sub-economic mineralization grading in excess of 30% Fe is estimated as potential future ore. Most of these reserves and resources are in the Pilbara.