Abstract: Thermodynamic characteristics of iron ore and iron oxide were studied by TGA-DSC synchronous thermal analysis. The TGA and DSC curves of iron ore and iron oxide in oxygen atmosphere and nitrogen atmosphere at different rates of temperature elevation were compared with STAR^e software. It was found that the characteristic curves of iron ore and iron oxide obtained in oxygen atmosphere under the rate of temperature elevation of 20 K·min^-1 were more favourable. Stress was put on the analysis of differences between the curves of iron ore and iron oxide obtained by TGA and DSC, and a new method for discrimination of iron ore and iron oxide was provided.