Many here seem to think this can not be about Chromium. But how do we really know.

Strategic resources are critical to the well-being of any state; states can, and do go to war to protect access to such resources; indeed securing and maintaining an adequate supply of strategic resources will constitute a central concern of any state''s foreign policy. Under such circumstances, a well-informed policy making process, guided by objective analysis becomes of paramount importance.

The United States, Mexico and Canada do not produce chromite.

About 80% of world production of chromite comes from India, Kazakhstan, Turkey and southern Africa. Southern Africa itself produces about half of this.

Yes, chromium is available in abundancy. BUT look WHERE. Look at the countries. There has been a lot of unstability everywhere. Look at the daily news on India, Pakistan , problems in South Africa. Is it not prudent from a safety point of view to produce this stuff somewhere in North America and NOT rely 100% from supply from countries like the one's above. Should another war occur what happens when these countries don't export to you. Do you set up a mine overnight? Or, do you prepare ahead of time so you are not stuck and dependent on something that is strategic.