Critical Metals
Critical node· Critical Metals · Critical anchor

Chromite, eastern Bushveld (South Africa)

Steelpoort, South Africa24.72°S 30.20°E
computed criticality18/100
reading
≈48% of global chrome ore (21 Mt, 2024); >72% of reserves
2024
Fault line

South Africa holds nearly half the production and more than two-thirds of the world's chromite reserves, the unavoidable raw material of stainless steel. But for lack of reliable electricity (Eskom load-shedding), the country exports its raw ore: China, now the leading ferrochrome producer, captures the processing. Extraction stays here, the value added has left.

Actors
Glencore-Merafe (Johannesburg)
Samancor Chrome
Chinese ferrochrome producers
Feeds 1
Port of Shanghai, YangshanChokepoints
Sources