The local chromium industry is ostensibly being cut out of global ferrochrome production, owing to its eroding competitiveness and the comparatively ‘low-hanging fruit’ of supplying chromite. While it is seemingly economically expedient at present, the continued decline in local ferrochrome production capacity is rather concerning for the mineral processing industry. Moreover, South Africa continuing, and possibly increasing, its dependence on commodity exports can have adverse implications for the economy.
