| Chromium Ore, Ferrochromium and Chromium Metal Production |
Ferrochromium prices forecast to improve in 2010
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| David Kovarsky of South African ferrochromium producer International Ferro Metals (IFM), expects ferrochromium prices to recover in 2010 despite the lower first-quarter contract price of $1.01/lb. The lower price reflects the recent weakness in the spot price of ferrochromium due to slackening demand in China and excess stainless steel stocks in Europe and the USA. More recently, however, prices and demand in China have firmed and Kovarsky believes that the market is likely to stabilise after the Chinese New Year in February. SBB Daily Briefing, Stainless Edition, 31 December 2009. |
Eti Krom sells out of chromium ore, raises offers again
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| Eti Krom has sold out of chromium ore until the end of February. The company sold 140 kt of chromium ore forward to the end of February just three weeks after announcing its prices for the first quarter of 2010. Contract prices were settled at $315/t-$325/t. Eti Krom has now revised its offer prices for February and March delivery to $340-$350/t and $360-$370/t respectively. The latest price increases are driven by transport costs and winter mining conditions. The good sales for the first quarter also indicate increased buying from China after sales to that country fell in November 2009. Metal Bulletin Daily, 4 January 2010, p 3. |
Kluchevsky will run chromium metal operations at 60-65% as prices firm
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| Russian chromium metal producer Kluchevsky, will restart production at 60-65% of capacity as of 7 January. The company, which closed for the Russian Christmas holidays, says it will keep production at the same level as in December as demand remains weak. There were rumours in the European market that the company was experiencing production problems but Kluchevsky has denied this. In spite of weak demand, chromium metal prices are firming, with aluminothermic chromium, basis 99% Cr, trading at $8250-$8450/t compared with $8100-$8350/t and lows of $7600/t in 2009. Market players say the firmer prices reflect tightening supplies rather than increased consumer demand. Supplies of chromium metal in the USA and Europe have decreased substantially followings closures at Eramet’s and Elementis’ operations. At full capacity, Kluchevsky accounts for about 22% of global chromium metal production. Metal Bulletin Daily, 5 January 2009, p 3. |
SA’s Aquarius Platinum to start chromium production in Q3
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| Aquarius Platinum has resumed work on the development of a chromite retreatment plant at its Everest mine in South Africa. Production of 216 kt/y of UG2 chromite ore is expected to start in September 2010. Development of the treatment plant began in July 2008 but was suspended in December 2008 when mining at Everest was stopped. Aquarius is in the process of negotiating an offtake agreement for its product. SBB Daily Briefing, Stainless Edition, 6 January 2010. |
