---
title: The steel production process needs to decarbonize and high-purity iron ore from the Labrador Trough can be game-changer
date: 2024-11-25T14:31:00-05:00
author: Camille Boully
canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/publications/the-steel-production-process-needs-to-decarbonize-and-high-purity-iron-ore-from-the-labrador-trough-can-be-game-changer"
section: Publications
---
1. [  ![BBA SM Linked In Effetingeniosite Etatdufer Suite Visuel EN](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/hero/BBA_SM_LinkedIn_Effetingeniosite_EtatduferSuite_Visuel_EN.jpg)  ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/hero/BBA_SM_LinkedIn_Effetingeniosite_EtatduferSuite_Visuel_EN.jpg)
2. Including high-purity iron on Québec's list of critical and strategic minerals in early 2024 was a pivotal development for the industry and Canada’s emerging role in global decarbonization efforts.
    
    Iron is essential in steel production, which is vital for building the infrastructures and technologies needed for the energy transition, from wind turbines to electric vehicles.
    
    Yet, steel manufacturing is among the most carbon-intensive industries, generating approximately 2.01 tonnes of CO₂ for every tonne of steel produced. In response, more companies committed to global decarbonization are looking to source steel with a lower carbon footprint.
    
    This is where high-purity iron ore from the Labrador Trough becomes a game-changer:
    
    **1 – It reduces industry-wide emissions**: “The high purity of this iron ore supports the transition to greener steelmaking methods, such as direct reduction furnaces and electric arc furnaces, significantly reducing GHG emissions,” explains [Catherine Pelletier](https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-pelletier-4384a7146/), Senior Mining and Metals Engineer at BBA.
    
    **2 – It enables more scrap recycling**: High-purity iron concentrate allows for greater use of scrap metal contaminated with impurities. By diluting these impurities, it helps maintain the quality of the end product.
    
    **3 – Political stability and favourable environmental standards**: This high-purity iron ore is also found in a geopolitically stable country. The current regulatory framework upholds stringent environmental standards, further increasing its appeal.
    
    “Positioning Québec as a world leader will require a great deal of effort, but there’s a strong commitment among industry stakeholders who are working together to develop advanced expertise and cutting‑edge technologies to drive the growth of the green steel sector,” adds [Isabelle Leblanc](https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-leblanc-5aa12848/), Vice-President, Mining and Metals at BBA.
 
This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA

 

    1. ![Isabelle Leblanc Carre](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/176805/Isabelle-Leblanc-Carre.webp)   
    
     Isabelle Leblanc, Ing.
    
    Vicepresidenta de Mercado de Minería y Metales
    
         Leer bio   [  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-leblanc-5aa12848/)  **Con más de 20 años de experiencia en proyectos mineros, Isabelle Leblanc ayuda a los responsables de la toma de decisiones a avanzar con confianza** mediante la identificación de escenarios basados en el valor y que pueden implementarse en terreno.
    
    **Áreas de especialización y certificaciones**
    
    
    - NI 43-101, JORC y duediligence, auditorías técnicas
    - Estrategias y optimización de explotaciones mineras a cielo abierto
    - Estudios y planificación estratégicos de minas
    - Estimación de costos de proyectos y análisis económico
    
    **Principales logros:** Dirigió más de 25 estudios (desde preliminares y de prefactibilidad hasta de factibilidad financiera) en la minería del oro, cobre, litio y hierro en diversos entornos geológicos y organizacionales.
    
    **Enfoque y valor añadido:** Isabelle destaca en la transformación de requisitos técnicos en opciones claras para la toma de decisiones, reduciendo riesgos y mejorando el rendimiento general de los proyectos.
2. ![5013](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/176527/5013.webp)   
    
     Catherine Pelletier, Ing.
    
    Ingeniera Senior en Minas
    
         Leer bio   [  ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-pelletier-4384a7146/)  **Como experta sénior en procesamiento de minerales, Catherine Pelletier cuenta con más de 15 años de experiencia en operaciones y consultoría.**  Diseña procesos y optimiza el desempeño de las plantas de procesamiento.
    
    **Áreas de especialización y certificaciones**
    
    
    - Desarrollo de procesos, extracción de hierro y flotación
    - Análisis de datos y pruebas industriales
    - Gestión de proyectos y de equipos
    - Informes NI 43-101 y cumplimiento de OIQ
    
    **Principales logros:** Ayudó a desarrollar un proceso de flotación para el procesamiento de hierro de gran pureza, convirtió molinos autógenos en semiautógenos e implementó programas de geometalurgia.
    
    **Enfoque y valor añadido:** Catherine aplica un método iterativo centrado en el uso óptimo de los datos y la colaboración multidisciplinaria, convirtiendo conceptos vagos en soluciones técnicas de alta confiabilidad.
 
 

       

  

  

 

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     Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions 
    
     
    
     
    
    
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         Nicolas Samson, P.Eng.
        
        Senior Engineer, Structural
     
       
    
     
    
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        Director, Operational Strategy Implementation
     
       
    
     
    
      ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/four-mistakes-that-can-harm-the-future-performance-of-industrial-assets "Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets")
- [  27 jul 2026 Minería y metalurgia  
    
     
    
     Por qué las decisiones tempranas sobre relaves definen el desempeño de la mina a largo plazo 
    
     
    
     
    
    
    - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp)
    - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp)
     
       
    
     
    
      ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/las-decisiones-sobre-relaves-definen-desempeno-mina-a-largo-plazo "Por qué las decisiones tempranas sobre relaves definen el desempeño de la mina a largo plazo")
- [  02 jul 2026 Minería y metalurgia  
    
     
    
     Python: Una herramienta clave para el análisis de datos en el procesamiento de minerales 
    
     
    
     
    
    
    - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp)
    - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp)
     
       
    
     
    
      ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/python-una-herramienta-clave-para-analisis-datos-en-procesamiento-minerales "Python: Una herramienta clave para el análisis de datos en el procesamiento de minerales")
 
 

       

 

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 1. [  ![BBA SM Linked In Effetingeniosite Etatdufer Suite Visuel EN](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/hero/BBA_SM_LinkedIn_Effetingeniosite_EtatduferSuite_Visuel_EN.jpg)  ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/hero/BBA_SM_LinkedIn_Effetingeniosite_EtatduferSuite_Visuel_EN.jpg)
2. Including high-purity iron on Québec's list of critical and strategic minerals in early 2024 was a pivotal development for the industry and Canada’s emerging role in global decarbonization efforts.
    
    Iron is essential in steel production, which is vital for building the infrastructures and technologies needed for the energy transition, from wind turbines to electric vehicles.
    
    Yet, steel manufacturing is among the most carbon-intensive industries, generating approximately 2.01 tonnes of CO₂ for every tonne of steel produced. In response, more companies committed to global decarbonization are looking to source steel with a lower carbon footprint.
    
    This is where high-purity iron ore from the Labrador Trough becomes a game-changer:
    
    **1 – It reduces industry-wide emissions**: “The high purity of this iron ore supports the transition to greener steelmaking methods, such as direct reduction furnaces and electric arc furnaces, significantly reducing GHG emissions,” explains [Catherine Pelletier](https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-pelletier-4384a7146/), Senior Mining and Metals Engineer at BBA.
    
    **2 – It enables more scrap recycling**: High-purity iron concentrate allows for greater use of scrap metal contaminated with impurities. By diluting these impurities, it helps maintain the quality of the end product.
    
    **3 – Political stability and favourable environmental standards**: This high-purity iron ore is also found in a geopolitically stable country. The current regulatory framework upholds stringent environmental standards, further increasing its appeal.
    
    “Positioning Québec as a world leader will require a great deal of effort, but there’s a strong commitment among industry stakeholders who are working together to develop advanced expertise and cutting‑edge technologies to drive the growth of the green steel sector,” adds [Isabelle Leblanc](https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-leblanc-5aa12848/), Vice-President, Mining and Metals at BBA.
 
This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA