Al2O3 has been regarded as a harmful gangue component in iron ore, especially causing reduction
degradation in industrial sintering of iron ore. The current study aimed to utilise low-grade iron ore
containing high Al2O3 content in sintering process. In order to counteract the adverse effect of Al2O3
on reduction behaviour of iron ore sinter, mill-scale and calcined dolomite were chosen as FeO- and
MgO-bearing materials. Firstly, mill-scale was added to high Al2O3 sinter and addition was optimised
as 10 wt per cent, then calcined dolomite was added further. Magnetite and magnesio-ferrite were
identified as the major phases in iron ore sinter when adding mill-scale and calcined dolomite. As
the dosage of calcined dolomite increased beyond 4 wt per cent of in sinter mix, unreacted MgO
particles were observed, which is ascribed to the limitation of MgO dissolution into magnetite matrix.
Both mill-scale and calcined dolomite were effective in improving compressive load and Reduction
Disintegration Index (RDI) of iron ore sinter although its reduction degree was highly decreased. The
addition of both FeO and MgO-bearing materials to high Al2O3 sinter has a potential to improve the
sinter quality, also contribute to the recycling of industrial by-product. However, the amount should
be optimised in views of phase development and deterioration of reducibility.