We mine iron ore and metallurgical coal, the two main raw materials for steelmaking, at open-pit and underground mines around the world.

There are three main raw materials needed to make steel. Iron ore, coal and scrap steel.

To make steel, raw materials are first turned into liquid iron, either in a blast furnace or using the direct reduced iron process.

Steels produced by either of the two methods are cast using a continuous casting machine. Hot and cold rolling then transforms the steel into coils or plates.

Various sizes and profiles of steel products emerge from hot and cold rolling. Processes such as annealing, galvanising and organic coating are then applied as required.

    Finished steels then become the products that make the modern world. From cars to bridges, from ships to food packaging, and from tall buildings to washing machines.

      Making steel

      Steel is made from iron ore, a compound of iron, oxygen and other minerals that occurs in nature. The raw materials for steelmaking are mined and then transformed into steel using two different processes: the blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace route, and the electric arc furnace route. Both processes are being continually improved to meet the challenge of low-emission steelmaking. The journey below shows how steel is made across the ArcelorMittal environment - not necessarily how steel is made at Dofasco.

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