Iron is extracted from haematite (Fe2O3) in a blast furnace.

In a blast furnace, the ore is led into the top of the furnace along with coke and limestone and the
limestone is decomposed into the hot furnace, forming calcium oxide. This reacts with the sandy
impurities (silicon dioxide) to form a slag.
The Haematite reacts with Carbon in the cast iron to give pure iron and carbon monoxide gas which
escapes.
The reaction is:
Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO
Natural antioxidants are the tocopherols (E 306-E309), which are
members of the vitamin E family. Tocopherols are found mainly in nuts,
sunflower seeds and soya and maize shoots, and they are mostly used for
preserving vegetable oils, margarine and cocoa products.