Perhaps, geography matters too, in order to define virgin melt. Apart, from the alloy being discussed .
In a country like India, there are no producers of certified alloys in stainless steel and nickel rich alloys. Thus most often, whenever such a need arises, the only way is to use pure metals. For pure iron, I have used briquettes from Hoganas, at time from lab chemical suppliers for a few metals. It has always been a difficult route for small foundries, who do not have any means of metal refining.
I'm just one step away from being rich, all I need now is money.
( read somewhere on the internet)