News / National
Zimbabwe bans chrome exports to boost refining
22 Apr 2011 at 18:51hrs | Views
Reuters reported that Zimbabwe has banned the export of chrome as it looks to build internal refinery capacity.
According to the US Geological Survey, Zimbabwe, along with South Africa, holds about 90% of the world's chromite reserves and resources and the ban will affect exports to China and South Africa.
There are three large scale ferrochrome miners in Zimbabwe, including Zimbabwe Alloys and Zimasco, which is owned by China's Sinosteel. Zimasco recently told state media it planned a USD 300 million investment in the second half of 2011 to ramp up output and build a new smelter.
Zimbabwe already has three smelters that have the capacity to handle 1.5 million tonnes of chrome.
The ministry in November 2009 allowed the export of chrome for another 18 months.
The ministry said that "We wish to advise all exporters of lumpy chrome that with effect from this date, no more exports of shall be entertained."
According to official figures, Zimbabwe exported 600,000 tonnes of chrome in the 18 months from November 2009, mostly to China and South Africa.
According to the US Geological Survey, Zimbabwe, along with South Africa, holds about 90% of the world's chromite reserves and resources and the ban will affect exports to China and South Africa.
There are three large scale ferrochrome miners in Zimbabwe, including Zimbabwe Alloys and Zimasco, which is owned by China's Sinosteel. Zimasco recently told state media it planned a USD 300 million investment in the second half of 2011 to ramp up output and build a new smelter.
Zimbabwe already has three smelters that have the capacity to handle 1.5 million tonnes of chrome.
The ministry in November 2009 allowed the export of chrome for another 18 months.
The ministry said that "We wish to advise all exporters of lumpy chrome that with effect from this date, no more exports of shall be entertained."
According to official figures, Zimbabwe exported 600,000 tonnes of chrome in the 18 months from November 2009, mostly to China and South Africa.
Source - Reuters
