The SITC definition explicitly includes iron ores with a manganese content of 20% or more (dry weight) within this heading rather than classifying them as iron ores. This threshold matters commercially because high-manganese iron ores are processed differently from standard iron ore — they are typically directed to ferroalloy smelters rather than blast furnaces — and the classification distinction affects duty treatment and trade statistics. Importers of mixed iron-manganese ores should obtain laboratory assay results to confirm which heading applies.

For steel applications, buyers prioritize total manganese content (typically 35–52% Mn for metallurgical grades), phosphorus levels (low P is critical for steel quality), and the lump-to-fines ratio (lump ore commands a premium for direct furnace charging). For emerging battery applications — particularly lithium-manganese-iron-phosphate (LMFP) cathodes — chemical purity requirements are far more stringent, and battery-grade manganese sulfate derived from ore must meet tight specifications for iron, calcium, and heavy-metal impurities.