In a blast furnace, iron is extracted from its ore hematite. The substances added in the blast furnace which undergo reaction are hematite, coke and limestone.

The coke, which is primarily carbon burns to form carbon dioxide

C + O2 --> CO2

The carbon dioxide reacts with excess carbon to form carbon monoxide

C + CO2 --> 2CO

Carbon monoxide is a reducing agent and reacts with the oxide of iron Fe2O3

Fe2O3 + CO --> 2Fe + 3CO2

The limestone that has been added, is decomposed to calcium oxide

CaCO3 --> CaO + CO2

Calcium oxide reacts with impurities, primarily silicon dioxide that is present in the iron ore to form CaSiO3

CaO + SiO2 --> CaSiO3

The resultant compound floats above the molten iron as slag which is extracted separately.

Iron produced in a blast furnace has a lot of carbon as impurity which makes its direct application difficult. The iron has to be treated further before it can be used to make products or iron or converted to steel.

The response to your questions are: Carbon is the element that displaces iron in the iron ore. Carbon is a non-metal.