Iron ore (Fe2O3) from Sloss-Sheffield Iron Mine Number Six, one of Alabama’s first iron mines, was analyzed for metal content using gravimetric methods of analysis (Fe) and inductively-couple plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) against standards used in industrial protocol for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn. The concentration of metals determined in the iron ore samples as measured by ICP-OES showed that the comparative levels of metals present in the ore was: Fe &gt; Mn &gt; Cu &gt; Ni &gt; Zn &gt; Co &gt; V &gt; Cr &gt; Cd &gt; Pb. Historical references stated that the iron from this mine was particularly rich in Fe2O3, with total iron content of up to 66% in the ore, and that the bulk of the iron was shipped to Bristol, England for steel production. The gravimetric analysis of Fe and ICP-OES analysis of Fe in the ore confirmed these predictions, and demonstrated a high concentration of Mn in the ore samples.

Analysis of metal content in ore from Alabama's first iron mine

255th National Meeting (2018)

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