In 1750, the British Parliament passed the Iron Act which encouraged the production of pig iron and iron bar in the colonies by removing the import duties to Britain. They sought to undercut the expensive importation of raw iron materials from foreign sources [Sweden, Russia]. Iron ore from mining contains various oxides of iron. The reduction of iron ore (removal of the oxygen) requires high temperatures and carbon which in turn required wood to make charcoal. The colonies had wood in abundance. [Coal did not replace wood as the heat and carbon source until later in 1700s]
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