2-step iron conversion system

A method for producing iron, the method comprising:

• providing a feedstock having an iron-containing ore to a dissolution subsystem comprising a first electrochemical cell;
• wherein the first electrochemical cell comprises a first anodic chamber having a first anolyte in the presence of a first anode, a first cathodic chamber having a first catholyte in the presence of a first cathode, and a first separator separating the first anolyte from the first catholyte;
• dissolving at least a portion of the iron-containing ore using an acid to form an acidic iron-salt solution having dissolved first Fe3+ ions;
• providing at least a portion of the acidic iron-salt solution, having at least a portion of the first Fe3+ ions, to the first cathodic chamber;
• first electrochemically reducing at least a portion of said first Fe3+ ions in the first catholyte to form Fe2+ ions;
• transferring at least a portion of the formed Fe2+ ions from the dissolution subsystem to an iron-plating subsystem having a second electrochemical cell;
• second electrochemically reducing at least a first portion of the transferred formed Fe2+ ions to Fe metal at a second cathode of the second electrochemical cell;
• and
• removing the Fe metal from the second electrochemical cell thereby producing iron.