Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be extracted. There are four main types of iron ore deposit: massive hematite, which is the most commonly mined, magnetite, titanomagnetite, and pisolitic ironstone. These ores vary in colour from dark grey, through to deep purple, rusty red and bright yellow. 98 per cent of all iron ore is converted into pig iron for steel making. It is then used in construction, transportation, energy infrastructure and even household appliances.