I am not 100% sure if this is the correct answer since you used the word extensive... but the first people to use iron would be the Hittites..
While they created iron they could not create enough to be effective in the use of battle with the Egyptians... who used copper weapons.
Spears They did not invent iron they may have found it but the hittikes were the first people to use iron tools and weapons
The Hittites are believed to be among the first to create tools using iron around 2000 BCE. They were skilled in iron production and used it to create weapons, tools, and armor which gave them a military advantage.
Tools
The Hittites are credited with being one of the first civilizations to use iron for tools and weapons around 1800 BCE. They developed iron technology independently from other regions, paving the way for the Iron Age.
The Nok people were the first people to smelt iron.
The Nok people were the first people to smelt iron.
The discovery of smelting iron ore into iron and the development of iron tools was a major technological advancement. This transition occurred around 1200 BCE during the Iron Age, as iron tools were found to be stronger and more durable than tools made from previous materials like bronze or stone.
The Nok people were the first people to smelt iron.
The Nok people were the first people to smelt iron.
they originated in Africa and Egypt.
Iron Age peoples discovered how to smelt iron and create steel. This discovery was a giant technological leap forward and partially formed the foundation of the modern world.
Iron was first used by humans around 2000 BCE for tools and weapons in the Middle East. It eventually led to the Iron Age, a period of technological advancement and widespread use of iron in various civilizations for tools, weapons, and architectural purposes.