What role does hematite play in making ferroniobium?

In the production of ferroniobium, hematite serves as a vital source of iron. During the aluminothermic process, pyrochlore concentrates are mixed with hematite, aluminum powder, and specific fluxes. The hematite provides the necessary iron content to create the final ferroniobium alloy, which typically consists of 62–69 percent niobium and 29–30 percent iron.1

The mixture undergoes an intense exothermic reaction, reaching temperatures of approximately 2,400 °C (4,350 °F), which reduces the concentrate and incorporates the iron from the hematite into the resulting metallic alloy.1