# CHROMIUM By

# John

# F. Papp

Domestic survey data andtables were preparedbyMahbood Mahdavi, statistical assistant, and the world production tables

were preparedby Glenn 

## J. Wallace, international data coordinator.

.

In 2011, the U.S. chromium supply (measured in contained chromium) was 147,000 metric tons (t) from domestically recycled stainless steel scrap, 531,000 t from imports, and 122,000 t from Govennnent and industry stocks. Supply distribution was 232,000tto exports, 117,000 t to Government and industry stocks, and 451,000 t to apparent consumption: Chromium apparent consumption increasedby 18% compared with that of201 O. Historically, chromium ferroalloys have

. replaced chromite ore as the leading source ofchromiumto the U.S. economy. Stainless steel mill products have been accounting for an increasing share ofchromium supply to the domestic economy, nowrivaling that offerrochromium. Because stainless steel mill products contribute a significant amount ofchromium to the domestic economy, trade inthese products has been incorporated into chromium trade statistics, andtheir contribution has been accounted for in chromium apparent consumption. Compared with that of2010, world chromite ore production decreased and ferrochromium producti011 

### increased in 2011.

Chromiumhas a wide range ofuses in chemicals, metals, and refractory materials. Its use in h-on, nonferrous alloys, and steel is for enhancinghardenability or resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Production ofstainless steel and nonferrous alloys

are two ofits more critical applications. Other applications are in alloy steel, catalysts, leather processing, pigments, plating of metals, refractories, and surface treatments. 

### Legislation and GovernmentPrograms

The Defense LogisticsAgency, Strategic Materials (DLA) disposed ofchromium materials from the National Defense Stockpile under its fiscal year 2011 (October 1,2010, through September 30, 2011) Annual Materials Plan (AMP) and announcedthe fiscal year 2012 plan. TheDLA's fiscal year 2011 AMP set maximum disposal goals for chromium materials at 90,700 t ofchromium felToalloys and 454 t ofchromium metal (Defense LogisticsAgency, Strategic Materials, 20 11).



### Production

The major marketplaces for chromiunl-containing materials

are chromite ore and foundry sand; chromiumchemicals, felToal1oys, andmetal; and stainless steel. In 2011, the United States produced chromite ore, chromium chemicals, and stainless steel. The United States is a major worldproducer of chromium chemicals and stainless steel.

In 2011, Oregon Resources Corp. (ORC) [a subsidiary of IDM International Ltd., formerly Industrial Minerals Corp. Ltd. (Australia)] started recovering chromite from its Coos County, OR, paleo-beachplacer (heavy-mineral sand) deposits. In doing
so, ORC became the sole producer offoundry-gradechromite ore in the United States. ORC chromite ore shipments were 5,142 t in fiscal year (FY) 20II (July 1,2010,through June 30, 2011). The company planned to increase production to 49,500 t in FY 2012 and 95,000 tin FY2013-15 (Industrial Minerals Corp. Ltd., 2011; IDM International Limited, 2012a, b). The combinedproved and probable reserves for the Coos County heavy-minerals sands projectwas 9.1 millionmetric tons (Mt) averaging 7.4% chromic oxide (CrpJ

Elementis Chromium [a subsidiary ofElementis pIc (United Kingdom)] produced sodium dichromate from chromite ore at Castle Haynes, North Carolina. 

### Consumption

Domestic data for chromiummaterials were developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) by means ofthe monthly "Chromite Ores and Chromium Products" and "Consolidated Consumers" consumer surveys. Stainless and heat-resisting steel producers are the leading chromium consumers, and high-carbon ferrochromium is the leading chromium-containing material consumed.

TheU.S. stainless steel industry produces more than 2 million metric tons peryear (Mt/yr) ofstainless steel and impOlis and exports stainless steel mill products and scrap, which account for a significant amount ofchromium in U.S. trade. AK Steel Corp.,ATI, and NorthAmerican Steel Co. were the leading U.S. stainless steel producers.

AK Steel.Corp. produced stainless steel at Butler, PA, and Mansfield, OH. AKreported shipments of817,000 t stainless and electrical steel in 20II compared with 756,000 t in 2010 (AKSteel Corp., 2012, p .

### .lO, 15). AlleghenyTechnologies Incorporated (ATI) produced stainless steel atBrackenridge, Midland, and Latrobe, PA. ATI reported production of492,000 t ofhigh value and standard products in 2011 compared with 498,000 t in 2010 (Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, 2012, p. F14, F29).

NOlihAmerican Stainless (NAS) [a subsidiary ofAcerinox, S.A. (Spain)] produced stainless steel in Ghent, KY. NAS reported melt shop production at 937,087 t in 2011 compared with 899,150 t in 2010, a 4.2% increase.Acerinox considered the Ghentplant its most efficient stainless steel plant worldwide (Acerinox SA, 2012, p. 186).

ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA [a subsidiary ofThyssenKrupp AG (Germany)] produced stainless steel at Calvert, AL. ThyssenKrupp continued development ofa I-Mtlyr-stainless steel melt shop and rollingmill in Calvert (ThyssenKruppAG, 2012, p. 20).

CHROMTIJM-2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 17.1

### Prices

Chromium materials are not openly traded. Purchase contracts

are confidential betweenbuyer and seller; however, trade journals report composite prices based oninterviews with buyers and sellers, and the U.S. Department ofCommerce reports the declared value ofU.S. imports and exports. Thus, industrypublications and U.S. trade statistics are sources of chromium material prices and values, respectively (table 3). Foreign Trade

The United States imported and exported chromite ore; chromium chemicals, ferroalloys, metal, and pigments; and stainless steel. Based on foreign trade statistics rep011ed by the U.S. Department ofCommerce for 2011, the value offoreign trade ofthese chromium materials excluding stainless steel mill products and scrap was $124 million for exports and $1.13 billion for imports. The value offoreign trade ofchromium materials including stainless steel mill products and scrap was $3.60 billion for exports and $4.08 billion for imports (table 1).

World Industry Structure

The chromium industry comprises chromite ore, chromium chemical and metal, ferrochromium, stainless steel, and chromite refractory material and foundry sand producers. Several trends are simultaneously taking place inthe chromium industry. The chromium chemical industry has eliminated

excess production capacity, concentrating on production growth in surviving plants. Chromiterefractory use has been declining; however, foundry use has been increasing slowly. Environmental concerns have reduced the use ofchromite refractories and chromium chemicals. The fraction ofchromite

ore from independent producers is declining, while that from vertically integrated producers is increasing. In other words, chromite ore mines tend now to be owned and operatedby chromite refractory, chromium chemical, or ferrochromium producers. This trend is associated with the migration of ferrochromium production capacity from stainless steel producing countries to chromite-ore-producing countries, a trend that has been interrupted with the emergence ofChina

as a significant ferrochromium and leading stainless steel producer. While ferrochromium production capacity was closed inhistoricallyproducing countries, which usually have been stainless-steel-producing countries, new furnaces or plants were constructed in chromite ore producing areas. The electrical power and submerged-arc electric-furnace production capacities used to produce ferrochromium have been increasing. Furnaces built recently have an electrical capacity in the tens of megavoltamperes (MVA), whereas when ferrochromium plants

were first built, furnaces rated in the low kilovoltampere (kVA) range were common.

Productionprocess improvements, such as agglomeration ofchromite ore, preheating and prereduction offurnace feed, and closed-furnace technology, have Deen retrofitted at the plants ofmajor producers and are being incorporated in newly constructed plants. Since the introduction ofpost-melting refining"processes inthe steel industry after 1960, there has been a shift in production to high-carbon ferrochromium from low-carbon ferrochromium. After years offerrochromium production, slag stockpiles have grown. Recently developed processes have efficiently recovered ferrochromium from that slag, and processes have been or are being installed at existing plant sites. In SouthAfrica, the leading chromite-ore- and ferrochromium-producing country, three trends are emergingferrochromium plants are being developed in the westernbelt ofthe Bushveld Complex, ferrochromium plants are beingbuilt in association with chromite ore mines, and ferrochromium production processes have been developed to accommodate chromite orebyproductrecovered from platinum operations.

Mineral production became more geographically diverse during the past 150 years. Europe, along with the United States, accounted for nearly all ofmineral**p~oduction** 

### inthe mid-19th century, but together now account for less than one-fifth ofworld mineral production. The world share of mineral production from the United States and Europe had been decreasing while the share fromAustralia, Canada, China, Confederation ofIndependent States, and a collection of developing countries has been increasing. While minerals and metals are not being mined to extinction, mineral scarcity will likely become an issue in coming decades. The displacement ofWestern countries by developing countries as the leading mineral producers has major geopolitical implications, because Europe is dependent on foreign supplies to satisfy its industrial demand. It

### was ofconcem that scarce**miner~ls** 

### markets could be transfonned from equal access competitivebidding markets to markets where trade is conducted by long-tenn supply agreements between major corporations with heavy government involvement resulting in a politicized mineral supply.



### Capacity.-Production capacities have beenrated for the chromite ore, chromium chemical, chromium metal, felTochromium, and stainless steel industries (table 7). Rated capacity is defined as the maximum quantity ofproductthat

can be produced in a period oftime at a nonnally sustainable long-tenn operating rate, based onthe physical equipment of the plant and given acceptable routine operating procedures involving labor, energy, materials, andmaintenance. Capacity includes both operating plants and plants temporarily closed that can bebrought into production within a short period oftime with minimum capital expenditure. Because not all countIies

or producers provide infonnation about production capacity, historical chromium trade data also have beenused to estimate national production capacities. Changes inreported production capacity result from both facility changes and increased knowledge about facilities. New infonnation about a facility may result in the reevaluation ofproduction capacity for that facility.

Degel and others (2011, p. 53-55) compared altemating current (AC) and direct current (DC) arc fumace technology and described energy recovery. Abenefit ofDC furnaces is the

use offine run-of-mine material, eliminating the need for costly agglomerations process. ETI-Krom revamped two 30-MVA fumaces at Elazig, Turkey, and added an energy recovery system. Samancor operated two DC furnaces [40 megawatts (MW) and 60 MW]; MogaleAlloys operated two smaller DC furnaces; and Kazchrome installed four 72 MW DC furnaces expected to produce 440,000 metric tons peryear (t/yr) of felTochromium.

17.2 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-20Il

### Production.-World 2011chromite ore production was 23.3 Mtgross weight, a 3% decrease compared with that of 20I 0 (table 8); ferrochromium production was 9.5 Mt gross weight, a slight increase compared with that of2010 (table 9); stainless steel production was 33 Mt gross weight, a 4% increase compared with that of2010.



### Chromite ore.-Alexander (2011 a, b) reported the recovery ofchromite sand from landfilled foundry sand. Waste foundry sand has beenused as a fill material, landfill cover, roadbase, or asphalt mix. Alexander estimated that chromite sand comprised about one-third (116,400 cubic yards) oflandfill foundry sand (338,000 cubic yards) from a hazardous waste site used by a steel foundry. Alexander Mill Services International developed

a process to recover the chromite sand and othermaterials from that waste. The chromite sand recovered met the Steel Founders' Society ofAmerica tentative specifications for chromite sand and flour.

McEwan (2011, p. 5, 15-17,20)reported that chromite ore for refractory use should have more than 45% CrPl' a chromiumto-iron ratio ofmore than 2 to I, a large aggregate size, and low silica (SiO ) content. Chromite-containingrefractories were used in co;per, nickel, and platinum pyrometallurical extraction processes, steel industry vacuum degassers, foundry industry electric arc furnaces, and ferroalloy Creusot Loire Uddeholm converters. Stotzel and others (2011) described the thermal expansion and bulk density ofchromite ore for refractory use by comparing them to otherfoundry sand.



### Chromium Chemicals.-Leading chromium-chemicalproducing countries where large sodium dichromate plants (production capacity in excess of 100,000 t/yr) operated included Kazakhstan, Russia, and theUnited States. Moderate-sized production facilities were located in China, India, Japan, SouthAfrica, andTurkey. Small-scale local producers operated in China and India.



### Chromium Metal.-Major chromium metal producers included Russia (by the electrolytic process), Japan (by the silicothermic process), and China, France, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United Kingdom (by the aluminothennic process).



### Ferrochromium.-Ferrochromium is the leading end use of chrornite ore. Ferrochromiumproduction is electrical energy intensive. Charge-grade ferrochromium requires 2,900 to 4,100 kilowatthours ofelectrical energypermetric ton ofproduct, with efficiency varying by ore grade, operating conditions, and production process. Thus, ferrochromium plant location will reflect a costbalancebetweenraw materials and electrical energy supply.

Chitambira and others (2011) reportedthat Zimbabwe's deteriorated power supply is a major limiting factor in ferrochromium growth. In addition, Zimbabwe is landlocked and far from consuming markets making transportation costs higher compared with those ofthe leading ferrochromium producers-SouthAfrica and Kazakhstan.



### Stainless Steel.-Stainless steel is the leading end use of ferrochromium. TheInternational Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) reported 2011 world crude stainless steel production to have been 33.621 Mt compared with 31.094 Mt in 2010. ISSF reported world stainless steel trade to havebeen 15.7452 Mt in 2011 compared with 14.3721 Mt in 2010 (International Stainless Steel Forum, 2012).

CHROMIUM-201I [ADVANCE RELEASE] 

### Stainless SteelScrap.-Stainless steel scrap is an important

source ofchromium to the stainless steel industry. The ISSF reported 2011 world stainless steel scrap trade to have been 5.0201 Mt compared with 5.1976 Mt in 2010.



### World Review



### Albania.-EmpireMining Corporation (Canada) explored for chromite ore in the Bulqizachromite mining district near the town ofBulqiza. Empire started a drilling programinthe area. Empire sued theAlbanian Ministry ofEconomy, Trade, and Energy because ofa newrestriction on Empire's mining license; the litigationwas expected to be resolved in 2012 (Empire Mining Corporation, 2012).

Illyria Minerals Industry Sh. a. (IMI) [ajointventurebetween Kurum Energy, Resources and Metallurgy Sh. a., a subsidiary ofKurum HoldingA:S. (Turkey) and Sichuan Jiannanchun International Group Ltd. (China»), contracted with the Ministry ofEconomy, Trade and Energy (Government of**Albania~** 

### to explore'and exploit Kalimash and Vlahne zone chromlte deposits in northernAlbania. 1M! planned to produce 80,000 t/yr oflumpy ore and 90,000 t/yrofconcentrate from**~OO,OO~** 

### t/yr of run-of-mine ore for export to China. IMI also planned to ll1stall

a high-carbon ferrochromium smelternearby (Illyria Minerals Industry Sh. a., undated).



### Australia.-The Government ofWesternAustraliareported chromite ore sales bycalendar year in contained CrPl: 2011­ 96,573 t ofcontained Crp3; 2010-73,535 t ofcontaine.d Crp3 (Government ofWestern Australia, 2012,p. 20).**Consohd~ted** 

### Minerals Limited (2012, p. 10) (Consmll1) reported chromlte production of323,800 t in 2011 compared with0181,200: in 2010, and chromite ore reserves of0.3 Mt at 23

## Yo chromIUm (Cr) and resources of 1.5 Mt at 29% Cr.

. .



### Belgium.-Be1giumproduced 1.2143 Mt ofstall1less steelll1 2011 compared with 1.3061 Mtin 2010.



### Brazil.-Brazilproduced chromite ore, ferrochromium, and stainless steel. Brazil reported 2010 chromite ore production of 520,129 t (258,308 t Crp3-content), exports of77,131 t, and imports of23,238 t. Brazil produced from a chromite ore reser:e of2.17 Mt CrpJ-content, mostly in Bahia State. In 2010, Brazil produced 277,114 t ofchromiumferroalloys, exported 9,568 t and imported 11,390 t. 

### Chromite ore was mined inthe States ofAmapa and Bahia. Leading chromite ore producers :vere

_ Cia. Ferro-Ligas da Bahia 

### S/A, Magnesita 

### S/A, and Mrnerayao Vila NovaLtda. (Ramos, 2011). Brazil produced 0.4133 Mt of stainless steel in 2011 compared witll 0.4072 Mt in 2010.

Canada.-CllffsNatural Resources Inc. (United States) (2011; 2012, p. 6) reported that its chromite orepropertiesBlackThor and BlackLabel (each 100% owned) and Big Daddy (72% owned)-in Ontario, had inferred mineral**reso~ce~** 

### of69.5 Mt at 31.9% CrpJ' Cliffs conducted a**prefeaslblh~** 

### study that looked at openpit followed 

### byundergroundrrumng,
oreprocessing and shjpping facilities at the mine site,**an~** 

### a brownfield ferrochromium smelter at Greater Sudbury With 300 MWelectrical power capacity.

Azimut Exploration Inc. explored for chromite in the James Bayregion ofQuebec (Azimut Exploration Inc., 2011).

KWG Resources Inc. (2010, p. 92) explored the BigDaddy chromite deposit (about 86°14'11" W, 52°45'32"N) and found,

17,3

### to a cutoffgrade of 15% Cr 2

### 0J , chromite ore indicated resources of26.4 Mtat 39.37% Crp3 and inferred resources of20.5 Mt at 37.47% Crp3' '

Noront Resources Ltd. (2011, p. 6) explored for chromite

ore at its Blackbird and Eagle Two properties. The combined properties had measured resources of5.187 Mtat 34.43% Crp3' indicated resources of3.678 Mt at 35.14% Crp3' and inferred

resources of6.124 Mtat 25.87% CrpJ'

Ressources Minieres Pro-Or Inc. explored for chromite at its Menarikproperty in northwestern Quebec (Ressources Minieres Pro-Or Inc., 2012). Ressources patented a method to increase the chromium to iron ratio ofchromite ore via

a carbochlorinationprocess that selectively removes iron (Ressources Minieres Pro-Or Inc., 2010).

Diamond Discoveries International Corp. (United States) explored its Caribou PropertynearThetford Mines, Quebec, Canada, which hosts histOlical chromite ore mines and chromite mineralization (Bassard, 2011). Diamondplanned toprove
resources andprepare scoping and feasibility studies by 2014.

China.-Chinaproduced chromite ore, ferrochromium, chromium chemicals and metal, and stainless steel. China was the leading producerofstainless steel, which also made itthe leading market for ferrochromium. Chinaproduced a small amount ofchromite ore and large amounts offerrochromium and stainless steel. China imported 9.4 Mt ofchromite ore and 1.8 Mt offerrochromium in 2011. Chinaproduced 2.477 Mtof ferrochromium in 2011 compared with 2.090 Mt in 2010. China produced 13.786 Mt ofstainless steel in 2011 compared with 12.415 Mt in 2010.

EurasianNatural Resources Corp. pic (ENRC) (United Kingdom) suspended ferrochromium production at its Tuoli plant in 2011 (Eurasian Natural Resources Corporationpic, 2012, p. 10).

Tharisapicplanned to constructTharisa Ferrochrome Smelter at Luoyuan Bay, Fujian Province, China. Theplant was to be located nearBaosteel Desheng Stainless Steel Plantand Fujian Wuhang Stainless Steel Products Company, Ltd. Theplaht was to startproduction in 2014 with a capacity of600,000 tJyr

### of ferrochromium (Tharisa pic, 20II).



### Cuba.-Cuba produced chromite ore. The BolivarianAlliance for the Peoples ofOurAmerica (ALBA) funded a chromite ore processing plant in Altagracia, Camaguey Province (Gutierrez, 2011).



### Finlanti-Finland produced chromite ore (Kemi Mine), ferrochromium (Tornio Works), and stainless steel (Toruio Works). Outokumpuproduced 693,000 t ofmarketable chromite

ore from 1.4 Mt ofrun-of-mine ore, 231,000 t 

### offerrochromium, and 1.707 Mt ofstainless steel in 2011 compared with 598,000 t ofchromite ore from 1.3 Mtofrun-of-mine ore, 238,000 t 

### of ferrochromium, and 1.610 Mt of.stainless steel in 2010. The company reportedproven reserves ofchromite ore at 35 Mt graded at 26% Crp3' indicated resources ofchromite ore at 13 Mtgraded at 30% CrPJ' and inferred resources ofchromite ore at78 Mtgraded at 29% Crp3' Outokumpuproduced stainless steel atmelt shops inTornio, Avesta (Sweden), and Sheffield (Britain). Outokumpu plalmed to increase its ferrochromium production capacity to 530,000 tJyr

### starting in 2013 and to reach full production capacity in 2015 (Outokumpu Ojy, 2012, p. 50-51,85).

Ruukki Group comprised chromite oremining [Stellite Mine (SouthAfrica), TurkMaadin Sirketi (Turkey)] and ferrochromium production facilities [MogaleAlloys (Pty.) Ltd. (SouthAfrica), EWW (Gerroany)]. Ruuki was developing MecklenburgMine (SouthAfrica), Waylox mineproject (Zimbabwe), and expanding StelliteMine andMogaleAlloys. Ruukkireported StelIiteMine chromite oreproduction capacity of360,000 tJyr

### andMogale ferrochromium production capacityof280,000 tJyr. 

### Ruukki reported production of82,200 t ofchromite ore and 354,000 t offerrochromium comparedwith 20,000 t ofchromite ore and 6,880 t offerrochromium In 201

### O. Ruukki plannedto complete theMecklenburg Minefeasibility study in 2012 and to increase ferrochromiumproduction capacityby adding two DC fumaces (Ruukki Grouppic, 2012, p. 7-&,41).



### France.-France produced 0.2996 Mtofstainless steel in 2011 comparedwith 0.2756 Mt in 2010.

Germany.--Gerrnany

### produced chromium metal, ferrochrornium, and stainless steel. Elektrowerke Weisweiler GmbH [owned by Ruukki Group (Finland)] produced 25,908 t oflow-carbon ferrochromium in 2011 compared with 17,994 t in 2010 from a production capacity of30,000 tJyr

### from chromite

ore produced by Turk Maadin Sirketi (Turkey) (Ruukki Group pic, 2012, p. 40).Advanced Metals Group, N.V. produced chromium metal. Germany produced 1.5016 Mtofstainless steel in 2011 compared with 1.5093 Mt in 2010.



### India.-Indiaproduced chromite ore, chromium chemicals, ferrochromium, and stainless steel. India exported lumpy and friable chromite ore and chromite ore concentrates. India reported that 21 mines collectively produced 4,262,207 t of chromite ore in fiscal year 2010-11 (April I, 20I0, through March 31,2011) compared with 3,425,580 t from 22 mines in fiscal year 2009-10, India's ch,romite ore reserves were estimated to be 53.970 Mt as ofJanuary 4,2010. Indiareported chromite ore exports of 172,866 t and imports of80,573 tin fiscal year 2010-11, compared with exports of689,081 t and imports of89,050 t in fiscal year 2009-10. Chromite ore was mined in Kamataka and Odisha States. The leading chromite

oremining companies, all in Odisha, were BalashoreAlloys Ltd., Ferro Alloys CorporationLtd" IDCOLFerro Chrome & 

### Alloys Ltd., Indian Metals 

### & Ferro Alloys Ltd., Orissa Mining CorporationLtd., and Tata Steel Ltd. Krebs & 

### Cei (India) Ltd., Tamil Nadu Chromates and Chemicals Ltd., and Vishnu Chemicals Ltd. produced chromium chemicals. Indiaproduced 1.595" t ofchromium metal (Indian Bureau ofMines, 2012a). Vishnu reported chromite ore consumption of45,404 t (Vishnu ChemicalsLimited, 2012, p. 44).

From an installedproduction capacity of 1.60 Mt/yr, India produced 1,032,100 t offerrochromium in fiscal year2010-11 compared with 892,923 t infiscal year2009-10. India exported 1,305,855 t and imported 22,412 t offerrochromium in fiscal year 2010-11 compared with 471,953 t 

### ofexpol'ts and 17,726 t ofimports in fiscal year 2009-10. Chromium ferroalloys were produced atplants in AndharPradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, and West Bengal States. BalasoreAlloys Ltd., FACORAlloys Ltd., GMRTechnologies 

### & Ind. Ltd., IDCOLFerro ChromePlant, Indian Charge Chrome Ltd., IndianMetals 

### & Ferro Alloys Ltd., Jindal Stainless Ltd., Jindal Steel 

### & PowerLtd., NavaBharat

17.4 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S, GEOLOGICAL SURVEYMINERALS YEARBOOK-20ll

### FerroAlloys Ltd., Rawat FerroAlloys, Rohit Ferro Tech. P. Ltd., SAL Steel, Sri Vasavi Ind. Ltd., Standard Chrome Ltd., Tata Steel Ltd., and Utkal Manufacturing Services Ltd. were the leading chromium ferroalloy producers (Indian Bureau of Mines, 2012b). Indiaproduced 2.2711 Mt ofstainless steel in 2011 comparedwith 2.1195 Mt in 2010.

CronimetAIloysIndia Limitedproduced high carbon ferrochromium for use in the stainless steel industry from

an installed capacity of25,000 tJyr. The companyplanned to change its name to MetkoreAlloys & 

### Industries Limited (CronimetAlloys IndiaLimited, 2011, p. 24).



### Iraq.-Chromite was found to be associated with the Mawat ophiolite complex in Kurdistan region (Mirza, 2008, p. II-IV, 67-102,161-162; 2011, p. II-IV, 67-102,161-162).



### Italy.-CogneAcciai Speciali andThyssenKruppAccai Speciali produced stainless steel. Italy produced 1.602(5) Mtof stainless steel in 2011 compared with 1.584(9) Mt in 2010.



### Ivory Coast.-SamaResources Inc. (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) reported finding massive chromite

occurrences (about 7°40'N, 7°56'W) while geologically mapping and collecting rock samples (Sarna Resources Inc, 2012, p. 50,79-80,85-86,88).



### Japan.-Japanproduced 3.2559 Mt ofstainless steel in 2011 compared with 3.4269 Mt in 2010.



### Kazakhstan.-Kazakhstan produced chromite ore and ferrochromium. ENRC (United Kingdom) produced chromite

ore and ferrochromium. ENRCproduced chromite ore at Donskoy Mining Complex and Saranovskaya Mine 'Rudnaya' JSC (Russia). Productioncapacity at Donskoy was 3.5 MtJyr. ENRC reported salable chromite ore production of3.567 Mt in 2011 compared with 3.574 Mt in 2010. ENRC's principal chromite ore producing subsidiary TNC Kazchrome JSC produced 4.4 Mtrun-of-mine chromite ore, which it planned to increase to 4.9 Mt in 2031. As ofDecember 31, 2011, ENRC's chromite orereserves were 212.4 Mt at 41.4 % Crp3 a1'l.d resources were 313.6 Mtat49.4% Crp3' ENRC principal ferrochromium producing subsidiaries were TNC Kazchrome JSC, SerovFerroalloy Plant JSC (Russian Federation), and Xinjiang Tuoli ENRC Taihang Chrome Co. Ltd. (China). ENRC reported ferrochromium production of 1.226 Mt in 2011, compared with 1.258 Mt in 2010. AtAktobe, where ENRC operated a gas fired electrical powerplant, ENRC continued construction offour DCfurnaces with a collective ferrochromium production capacity of440,000 tJyr

### at an estimated cost of$750 million; completion was estimated for 2013 (Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation pIc, 2012, p. 22, 24-27, 141-142).

Orid Resources (United Kingdom), a subsidiary ofMechel OAO (Russia), produced chromite ore at the Voskhod Mine and chromium ferroalloys at the Tikhivin Ferroalloy Plant. Voskhod chromite ore feeds the Tikhivill Ferroalloy Plant. Voskhod production capacity was 1.3 MtJyr chromite ore plus 0.65 MtJyr

### ofchromite ore fines. Production was 691,500 t of chromite ore and 295,100 t·ofchromite**or~** 

### concentrate in 2011. Tikhvin produced 140,000 t 

### ofhigh-carbon ferrochromium containing 60% chromium. Mechelreported proven (14.5 Mt) plus probable (2.3 Mt) chromite ore reserves of 16.8 Mtat an

CHROMIUM-20Il [ADVANCE RELEASE] 

### average grade of42.2% CrPl as ofDecember 31, 2011 (Mechel OAO, 2012, p. 122-3, 129).



### Korea, RepUblic of.-Koreaproduced 2.116 Mtofstainless steel in 2011 compared with2.0122 Mt in 2010.

Oman.-GulfMiningMaterials Company and Sohar Free Zone agreedto setup a ferrochromium smelterthat would have two fumaces each with electrical capaeity of 16;500 kVA and ferrochromium production capaeity of50,000 tJyr. 

### The construction oftheproject was expected to take 12 to 14 months for completion (Oman News Agency, 2012).

Gambhir (2011) reported that Oman was the third leading supplier ofchromite ore to China after SouthAfrica and India in 2008-10. Leading Omani chromite ore producers were Oman Chromite Company and GulfMining Group (GMM). Omani chromite ore grade is about 30% to 42% Crp3with chromiumto-iron ratio of 1.9 to 2.6. GMM had a chromite ore production capaeity ofabout 300,000 tJyr. 

### Omani chromite oreproduction

was estimated to havebeen about 1MtJyr all ofwhich is exported with most (about 85%) going to China.

Chromite oreproducerAl Tamman Trading Establishment LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary ofMuscat Overseas Group) formed ajoint-venture agreementwith Indsil Group to build

a ferrochromium plantin Freezone Soharwith a production capacity of75,000 tJyr

### to become operational in 2013. The phmt'sproduction capacity would eventually be expanded to 150,000 tJyr

### (Indsil Group, 2012). ,

MetkoreAlloys and Industries Ltd. planned to build a 1 65,000-tJyr ferrochromium smelter in Freezone Soharby 2014 (James, 2012).



### SouthAfrica.-SouthAfrica produced chromite ore, chromium chemicals, ferrochromium, and stainless steeL In 2011, SouthAfrica was the leadingproducerofchromite ore and felTochromium. SouthAfrica reported chromite ore production of6.865 Mt ofwhich it exported 1.035 Mtand ferrochromium production of2.346 Mtofwhich it exported 2.621 Mtin 2009 compared with chromite ore production of9.683 Mtofwhich it exported 0.762 Mt and ferrochromium production of3.269 Mt ofwhiehit exported 2.525 Mt in 2008 (Mosiane, 2010, p. 112-117). South Africareported that 13 companies mined chromite ore from 27 mines, and 7 companies produced ferrochromium at 14 plants with collective production capacity of3.697 MtJyr in 2011 (Moisane, 2011, p. 1-12). SouthAfrica produced 0.444 Mt ofstainless steel in 2011 compared with 0.478 Mt in 2010.

Marico Chrome Corporation, a 50-50jointventure between Vereeniging Refractories and Samancor Chrome SA, operated the Marico Chrome Mine, which produced 40,000 tJyr

### of metallurgical- and refractory-grade chromite ore from 9 Mtof run-of-mine reserves. Marico chromite'seams are associated with the lower group seams ofthe Bushveld Complex. These typically have higher 

### Crp3 content (up to 49%), lower Si02 

### (less than 1 %), higher chromium-to-ironratios (about 2: 1), and lower magnetite content thanupperormiddle group seams (McEwan and others, 2011).

The Ruukki Group (Finland) operated the Stellite Mine, which had 300,000-tJyrrun-of-mine chromite ore production capacity, and MogaleAlloys, a ferrochromium producer.

17.5

### Ruukki held 5.7 Mt ofchromite ore reserves in SouthAfrica at Mecklenburg Project (Lillja, 2011, p. 5, 15-17,20).**Spain.~Spain** 

### produced 0.807 Mt ofstainless s.teel in 2011 compared with 0.8442 Mt in 2010.**Sweden.~Sweden** 

### produced ferrochromiurn and stainless steel. Sweden produced 0.5856 Mt ofstainless steel in 2011 compared with 0.5461 Mt in 2010. VargonAlloys AB, a Yildirim Group (Turkey) company, producedferrochromium from a 220,000 tlyrproduction capacity.At Vargon (Sweden), Yildrim producedhigh-carbon ferrochromium from two 24 MVAfurnaces, one48 MVAfurnace, one 105 MVA furnace, and a recovery-from-slag operation, which had a collective production capacity of240,000 tlyr (Onal, 2011, p. 

### II, 13,23-39).



### Taiwan.-Taiwanproduced 1.2026 Mtofstainless steel in 2011 comparedwith 1.5231 Mt in 2010.



## Turkey.-Turkeyproduced chromite ore and felTochromium. Eti KromInc., aYildirim Group company, milled chromite ore and produced ferrochromium. Eti Krom produced about 1Mt/yr ofchromite ore in 2011 from 20 mines, mostly underground, andplannedto increase production capacity to 1.5 Mtlyrby 2015. Eti Krom also produced high-carbon felTochromiurn at Elazig.

Dedeman Madencilik mined chromite ore inthe**Pinarba~i** 

### and Tornntepe regions. Eti ElektrometalurjiA.S. mined chromite

ore from 12 mines in the Mugla-Fethiyregion and produced ferrochromiurn atAntalya.

Onal (2011, p. 11,13,23-39)reported thatYildirim Mining and Ferroalloys Division was the second leading high-quality high-carbon ferrochromiurn producer after ENRC with production capacity of400,000 tlyr from eight furnaces (four 

### in Turkey andfour in Sweden). Yildrim held 100 Mtofchromite

oreproven reserves, which itexpectedto increase to 150 Mt. At Elazig, Yildrim producedhigh-carbon ferrochromiurn from two 17 MVA furnaces, two,30 MVA furnaces, and a recovery-fromslag operation; total production capacitywas 160,000tlyr.



### UnitedKingdom.-The United Kingdom produced chromium metal and stainless steel. London 

### & ScandinavianMetallurgical Co. Ltd. produced chromium metal. The United Kingdom produced 0.3298 Mt ofstainless steel in 20II compared with 0.2694 Mt in 2010. '

The British Geological Survey (2011) determined the chromium relative supply risk index to be 3.5 based on chromium abundance in the Earth's crnst, the location of production andreserves, and the political stability ofthose locations. The indexranged from very high risk, 10, to very low risk, 1.



### Zimbabwe.-Zimbabwe produced chromite ore and ferrochromium. On July 20, 2011, theMinistry ofMinesbanned exports ofraw'chrome ore, chrome orefines, and alluvial chrome concentrates from the country.

ZimbabweAlloys Chrome 

### (pvt.) Ltd. {ZimAlloys) restarted chromite oreproduction in 20II after stopping ferrochromium production 

### in 2008, owing to a lack ofcapital. Zimasco (Pvt.) Ltd. also produced chromite ore in 2011. Kalenjeka (20II) reported that Zimasco planned to increase its chromite ore production capacity to l.l Mtlyr from 0.6 Mtlyr by 2015, with more than 90% ofthe ore extracted underground from stratiform deposits in the GreatDyke.

.

Chirasha (2011) reported Zimbabwe's ferrochromium production capacity to be490,350 tlyr. Zimasco's production capacity was 220,000 tlyr, followed byZimAlloys with 215,350 tlyr. The remaining 55,000-t/yr offerrochromiumproduction capacity was heldby four other companies. Actual production in 2011, however, was greatly limitedbythe country's deteriorating electrical supply (Chitambira and others, 2011; Miso-Mbele and others, 2011).

ZimAlloys planned to converttwo high-carbon ferrochromium furnaces to low-carbon ferrochromium productionin 2012 at a cost ofabout $20 million. The refurbishedfurnaces were expected to have a production capacity of80,000 t/yr. Zimasco planned to increase its ferrochromium production capacity to 320,000t/yr by 2015 (Njini, 2011; Metmar Ltd., 2012, p. 29).



### Outlook

A variety ofcountries and regions were concerned about the mineral supply in 2011. Chromium supply was the subject of

concern by China, India, SouthAfrica, the United States, and Zimbabwe. China and the United States, as consumers, were concerned about supply. India, SouthAfrica, andZimbabwe, as suppliers, were concerned aboutmaximizing domestic benefit from their national resources. Mineral supply interventions included taxing expOlis, limiting production and exploration licenses, national control ofexports by suppliers, investment in development ofnew supply sources, and stockpiling by

consumers. India's SteelMinistry calledfor extending restricted chromite ore exports to a total ban on chromite ore exports. SouthAfrica'sNational Union ofMineWorkers and some chromite ore producers that also produce ferrochromium called forrestrictions on chromite ore exports. Zimbabwe banned the exportofchromite ore. Those concerned with depletion appearto neglect the continual proving ofnew reserves and the economically dynamic nature ofthose reserves (that is, currentresources canbe convertedto reserves as prices and cost ofproduction change). Historically, SouthAfrica took a leading position in the processing ofchromite ore (ferrochromium production), because it had large reserves of chromite ore, developed processes to accommodate that ore, and made electrical power abundant and inexpensive. China has addressed its potential shortagesby investing in chromite

ore and ferrochromiumproductionfacilities, both in and out ofChina. The United States has stockpiled chromite ore and ferrochromium, a position that was beingreevaluated in2011.

The outlook for chromium consumption inthe United States and the restofthe world is about the same as that for stainless steel production, which is the leading end use for chromium worldwide. In 2011, economic expansionin China and India resulted in increased need for chromium to produce stainless steel.

Thepractice ofsupplying chromium inthe form of ferrochromium by countries that mine chromite ore was interrupted as China became a major importer ofchromite

ore to produce ferrochromium and SouthAfrica, the leading ferrochromium producer, experienced limited electrical ppwer

17.6 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-2011

### supply; however, that trend was notexpected to continue as China closed small, inefficient, environmentally unfriendly ferroalloy production facilities. Generally, ferrochromium production is most cost effective when the ferrochromium plant is close to the chromite mine. With new efficient andreliable ferrochromium production facilities in chromite-ore-producing countries, ferrochromium production capacity andproduction

are expected to diminish in market-driven economies that produce ferrochromium withoutnearby resourees ofchromite

ore. Otherfactors ofproduction, such as electrical energy
orlabor costs, can offset chromite ore transportation costs. Further vertieal integration ofthe chromium industry was expected in countries that produce ehromite ore as they expand ferrochromium or stainless steel production capacity.



### Chromite Ore.--Chromite ore produetion.capacity was expected to remain in balance with average consumption. To improve chromite ore availability andto stabilize feed material price, ferrochromium producers were expected to invest in mines thatproduce chromite ore; or, as chromite ore prices rise,

new chromite ore resources will be brought into production. As platinum mining moves into chromite-bearing seams in South Africa, a greater portion ofchromite is likely to be supplied

as byproduct from such operations. In addition, platinum may become a byproduct ofsome chromite operations when efficient recovery ofplatinum from chromite ore tailings is developed. To meetchromite ore demand, chromite ore production was expected to increase in the leading chromite ore regions (India,' Kazakhstan, and SouthAfrica) and in the Middle East (Oman, Turkey, and UnitedArab Emirates).

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### GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION



### U.S. Geological Survey Publications

Chromium. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annuaL Chromium. Ch. inUnited States Mineral Resources,

Professional Paper 820, 1973.

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEYMINERALS YEARBOOK-20II

### Chromium. International Strategic Minerals Inventory Summary Chromium. Ch. in Mineral Facts and Problems, U.S. Bureau of Report, Circular 930-B, 1984. Mines Bulletin 675,1985. Chromium. Mineral Industry Surveys, monthly. International Chromium DevelopmentAssociation. Strategic and Critical Materials Reportto the Congress. U.S. Other 

### Department ofDefense, multiple years.
Chrornite. Ch. in Industrial Minerals and Rocks (7th ed.) S,ociety

for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2006.

CHROMIUM-2011 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 17.9TABLE I SALIENT CHROMIUM STATISTICS'

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 World, production, contained ·chromium:

Chromite ore (mine)2 metric tons 6,930,000 r 7,320,000 r 6,020,000 r 7,370,000 r 7,180,000 Ferrochromium (smelter)) do. 4,790,000 4,770,000 r 4,010,000 r 5,300,000 r 5,440,000 Stainless steel' do. 4,790,000 r 4,540,000 r 4,420,000 r 5,370,000 r 5,560,000 U.S. supply:

Components ofU.S. supply, contained chromium:

Domestic mines do. Seconda!},5 do. 162,000 146,000 141,000 144,000 147,000 Imports:

Chromite ore2 do. 46,400 64,300 23,000 43,900 70,300 Chromium chemicals do. 10,600 18,000 10,600 5,120 4,270 Chromium ferroalloys do. 259,000 307,000 140,000 305,000 311,000 Chromium metal do. 11,700 13,100 7,570 13,000 13,600 Stainless steel mill products and scrap do. 158,000 157,000 91,800 133,000 132,000 Stocks, January I:

Government do. 253,000 115,000 155,000 6 129,000 115,000 Industry7 do. 9,620 9,940 7,290 6,820 7,300 Total do. 910,000 831,000 576,000 779,000 800,000 Distribution ofU.S. supply, contained chromium:

Exports:

Chromite ore2 do. 12,000 2,280 743 1;390 1,930 Chromium chemicals do. 21,000 22,600 13,500 21,600 20,600 Chromium ferroalloys and metal do. 27,000 11,300 2,900 4,850 3,060 Stainless steel mill products and scrap do. 231,000 250,000 263,000 246,000 206,000 Stocks, January I:

Government do. 115,000 105,000 8 129,000 115,000 r 111,000 Indust!}'7 do. 9,940 7,290 6,820 7,300 6,150 Total do. 416,000 399,000 416,000 396,000 r 349,000 Production, reported, chromium ferroalloy and metal net production" W W W Consumption

Apparent, contained chromium do. 493,000 432,000 160,000 384,000 r 451,000 Reported:

Chromite ore and concentrates, gross weight do. W W W W W Chromium**ferroallo~s:** 

# ,0

Gross weight do. 469,000 427,000 383,000 423,000 r 428,000 Contained·chromium do. 275,000 251,000 224,000 248,000 250,000 Chromium metal, gross weight do. 5,410 4,740 4,190 4,540 3,080 Stocks, December 31, gross wc:ight:

Government

Chromite ore do. Chromium ferroalloys do. 155,000 140,000 8 175,000 154,000 150,000 Chromium metal do. 4,970 4,820 4,670 4,430 r 4,230 Industry:

Producer'! do. W W W W W Consumcr:

·Chromium ferroalloys'2 do. 16,300 11,700 10,900 r 11,500 9,900 Chromium metal do. 221 235 149 r 284 162 Other do. 216 272 263 243 92 Prices, average annual:

Chromite orelJ dollars per metric ton 244 346 159 208 216

Ferrochromium, chromium content14 dollars pcrpound 1.01 r 1.79 r 0.81 1.17 r 1.15 Aluminotherrnic chromium metal, gross weig!!t'5 do. 3.66 5.30 4.08 5.23 6.56 Value oftrade: !6

Exports thousands $150,000 $149,000 $86,600 $131,000 $124,000 Imports do. $699,000 $1,430,000 $444,000 $1,010,000

. $1,130,000

Net imJ2orts!7 do. -548,000 -1,280,000 -358,000 -884,000 r -1,010,000 See footnotes at end oftable.

17.10 [ADVANCERELEASEj U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-2011metric tons do.

do. Ditto. WWithheld to avoid disclosing companyproprietary data.

-- Zero. 'Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Calculated assuming chromite ore to average 44% Cr203, which is 68.42% chromium. 3Calculated assuming chromium content offerrochromium to average 57% chromium. TABLE l-Continued SALIENT CHROMIUM STATISTICS'

2007

2,170,000 r 1,930,000 r 1,620,000 r 2,200,000 r 2,070,000

360,000 324,000 276,000 383,000 353,000 0.1656 0.1684 0.1703 0.1738 0.1703 1,700,000 1,380,000 1,200,000 1,510,000 1,890,000

476,000 471,000 414,000 508,000 558,000 809,000 783,000 416,000 585,000 605,000

953,000 858,000 832,000 846,000 '866,000 1,430,000 1,330,000 1,260,000 1,280,000 1,300,000

882,000 1,000,000 1,130,000 937,000 656,000 118,000 140,000 124,000 195,000 169,000

4Calculated from American Iron and Steel Institute reported stainless steel production assuming chromium content ofstainless steel to average 16.7% chromium. 5Calculated assuming chromium content ofstainless steel to average 17% chromium.

6From January I, 2009 to December 31, 2009, the DLA made an accounting adjustment to low-carbon ferrochromium stocks making them (the stocks for those months) incompatible for the purpose ofcomputing stock change for that year. January stocks were estimated. 'Includes consumer stocks o(chromium ferroalloys and metal and other chromium-containing materials. "From January I, 2008 to December 31,2008, theDLA changed its high-carbon and low-carpon ferrochromium stocks accounting method making them (the stocks for those months) incompatible for the purpose ofcomputing stock change for that year. December stocks were estimated based on monthly stock changes excluding the accounting-change month. 9Includes chromium ferroalloys and metal and other chromium materials in thetTnited States. IOChromium ferroalloys, chromite ore, and other chromium-containingmaterials excluding chromium metal. llChromium ferroalloys and metal producer stocks ofchromium ferroalloys and metal. 12Consumer stocks ofhigh- and low-carbon ferrochromium and ferrochromium-silicon. 13Time-weighted average price ofSouthAfrican chromite ore that contains 44% Cr203 f.o.b. South Africa as reported in Ryan's Notes. 14Time-weighted average U.S. price ofimported high-carbon chromium that contains 49% to 51% chromium as reported in Ryan's Notes.

15Annual average U.S. price ofimported aluminothermic chromiummetal as reported by Ryan's Notes. 16Includes chromite ore and chromium ferroalloys, metal, and chemicals. 17Negative data indicatethat imports are greater than exports. 18Source: American Iron and Steel Institute annual report ofstainless and heat-resisting raw steelproduction and shipments. 19Estimated mass-weighted average ofthe mean chromi.um content ofstainless steel production by grade. Uncertainty is approximately ± 0.0I, owing to the range ofchromium chemical specification limits by stainless steel grade. 20Ratio ofestimated mass-weighted average chromium content ofstainless steelproduction by grade to production. Expressed as a fraction. 21Source: American Iron and Steel Institute annual report ofstainless and heat-resisting raw steel shipments. 22Includes stainless steel and stainless steel scrap.

CHROMIUM-201 j [ADVANCE RELEASE] 17.11TABLE 2 

# u.s. REPORTED CONSUMPTIONAND STOCKS OFCHROMIUMPRODUCTS!

(Metric tons)

7,210 4,430 5,420 3,570 -1,790 2,800 1,840 2,890 1,930 91 358,000 207,000 364,000 209,000 5,790 2

17,900 10,900 20,300 12,100 2,400 

### 13 27,800 17,400 27,000 16,900 -756 -3 9,390 7,480 8,310 6,110 -1,080 -12 -33

32,000 21,900 31,200 21,400 -735 -2 364,000 215,000 370,000 217,000 6,080 2 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) W 4,540 4,540 3,080 3,080 -1,460 -32

371 256 179 135 -192 -52 27,100 10,700 26,500 10,600 -581 -2 428,000 252,000 431,000 252,000 3,110

1,810 1,240 1,850 1,270 43 2 9,210 5,450 7,390 4,340 -1,820 -20 (S) (S) W W W W 284 283 162 162 -122 -43 124 86 W W W W 618 246 685 296 67 -11 12,000 7,300 10,100 6,070 -1,960 -16

95,400 68,100 95,200 68,000 -190 59,000 42,200 54,300 38,800 4,690 -8 -203 -5 W Withheld to avoid disclosing companyproprietary data; included in 'TotaL"

-- Zero.

lData are rounded to no more than three significant digits; maynot add to totals shown. 2Change based on gross weight quantity ofllllIou.nded data ofcurrentyear compared withthat ofprevious year. lIncludes electrical, tool, and unspecified steel end uses.

. 4Includes cast irons, welding and alloyhard-facing rods and materials, wear- and corrosion-resistantalloys, and aluminum, copper, magnetic, nickel, andother alloys. SWithheld to avoid disclosing companyproprietary data; included in "Otherchromiummaterials."

. "The source for stockpile information is the DefenseLogistics Agency, DLA Strategic Materials. 7The DLA datais based on the 'TotalUncommitted Inventory" ofstockpile material D-I report. 8Chromium contentestimated using 71.4% chromium

.

. 9Chromium content estimatedusing 100% chromium.

17.12 [ADVANCE RELEASE) U.S. GEOLOGICALSURVEYMINERALS YEARBOOK-20II, TABLE 3 VALUE OF IMPORTS AND U.S. PRICE QUOTATIONS FOR CHROMIUM MATERIALS 1



## xx 537 793 XX 168 252 1,490 814 986 528 252 372 674 212 965 355

4,630 3,180 5,000 3,460 3,660 2,240 4,080 2,320 1,850 1,100**1,4~0** __ 794 4,540 3,090 4,920 3,380 2,290 1,320 2,270 1,300 2,560 1,500 2,600 1,530

XX 11,300 

### XX 14,100

1,340 6' 339 1,250 0" 317 1,270 6 ' 357 1,190 0' 334

778 r 208 779 208 690 208 718 216

117 XX 115 XX 126 

### XX 122 XX

240 XX 246' XX 216 XX 228 XX 200 XX .219 XX do. do.

do. do.

do. Ditto. XX Not applicable. lData are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. "Mass-weighted average based on customs value and weight ofimported material. 3Reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.

4Average for all grades. sSource: Ryan's Notes. 6Based on average CrZ03 content. 'Correction posted June 25, 2013.

CHROMIUM-20l1 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 17.13;--l TABLE 4 ':I;: U.S. EXPORTS OF CHROMIUM METAL, BY TYPE1 

## :; 

# " 2010 2011

### ~ Z Quantity Value Quantity Value Principal destinations in 20II () HTS2 code T;tEe (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (Quantity in metric tons, value in thousands) crt :;<l 2610.00.0000 Chromiteore and concentrates, gross weight 4,420 $2,620 5,250 $3,520 Canada (2,550, $1,580); Mexico (1,030, $743); Netherlands (864, $497); China 

# Pl**~** (269, $214); Australia (118, $59).

(j)**~** Rll??IOOOO TlnuTrnnn'ht "hrn'fT'lill'fTI nn1uAP'rc 291 6,570 345 8,020 Japan (94, $1,060); Germany (63, $2,410); Mexico (55, $920); Brazil (30, $488); China (24, $710); Canada (22, $440). 8112.22.0000 Chromium metal waste and scrap 41 734 18 428 'Philippines (6, $106); Germany (4, $138); Taiwan (3, $61); Japan (3, $59); United Kingdom (I, $40); Mexico (I, $20). 8112.29.0000 Chromium metal other than unwrought 265 11,100 194 5,360 Belgium (62, $560); Japan (19, $707); Hong Kong (17, $579); Taiwan (15, $490); powders and waste and scrap Canada (II, $218); Ireland (8, $159); United Kingdom (8, $186); Brazil (7, $336); Mexico (5, $264); France (5, $267). 597 18,400 557 13,800

7202.41.0000 6,530 7,810 4,260 5,360 Brazil (940, $1,200); Canada (850, $1,059); Mexico (530, $860); Peru 3,150 XX 1,940 XX (360, $329); Thailand (359, $508); Italy (291, $262); Argentina (265, $234). 7202.49.0000 2,490 4,820 1,030 2;250 Canada (387, $894); Mexico (328, $736); Argentina (96, $159); Netherlands 1,060 XX 549 XX (61, $144); Brazil (44, $101); India (42, $105); Australia (40, $53); Peru (27, $44); Colombia (9, $16). 7202.49.0000 106 225 28 64 Canada (24, $40); Brazil (3, $16); Colombia (I, $8). 37 XX 10 XX

9,130 12,900 5,330 7,670 4,250 XX 2,500 XX C Chemicals, gross weight: i:n Chromium oxides: 0 tTl 2819.10.0000 Chromiumtrioxide 14,700 30,700 13,000 22,000 Brazil (2,580, $3,240); Republic ofKorea (1,190, $1,520); United Kingdom 0 

# S (1,160, $1,450); India (1,030, $1,280); France (729, $911); Indonesia

# ~ (614, $768); Chile (606, $1,000); Germany (535, $863); Spain (526, $1,790);



## >­ Belgium (495, $628); Mexico (492, $1,890); Italy (473, $807). t-' 5,250 26,000 4,800 32,800 Belgium (999, $7,040); Spain (945, $5,780); United Kingdom (501, $2,910); (j) C Canada (423, $2,870); China (348, $] ,680); Brazil (249, $1,740); Mexico

## ~ (247, $1,340); Germany (232, $2,020). tIl 19,900 56,700 17,800 54,800 

### -<**~** 2833.29.4000 60 306 53 263 Brazil (16, $79); Taiwan (15, $74); China (8, $40); Turkey (3, $]3); Sweden 

### Z (2, $12); Hong Kong (2, $10); United Kingdom (2, $10); Vietnam (I, $7);

# ~ Germany (1, $6); Australia (I, $8); South Africa (I, $3). t-' (j) 

### -< 35 362 4 396 South Africa (3, $359); Mexico (I, $27).

### ~ 

# Ei 0 0 

# r

IV 

### 8

# I TABLE 4-Continued U.S. EXPORTS OF CHROMIUM METAL, BY TYPEI 

# f 2010 2011 Quantity Value Value Principal destinations in 20 II N Type (metric tons) (thousancls) (metric tons) (thousands) (Quantity in metric tons, value in thousands) 

### ;:: HTSzcode 2841.30.0000 'Sodium dichromate 29,400 27,500 30,100 28,900 Japan (20,200, $18,300); Mexico (4,880, $4,960); Canada (2,590, $3,970); India 2841.50.1000 Potassium dichromate 48 131 72 152 (1,130, $853); China (321, $261); Peru (246, $ 135); Republic ofKorea 

# -**~**

# ~ (149, $82); Taiwan (113, $62); Indonesia (94, $64); Philippines (76, $42); Brazil (76, $42); South Africa (38, $21); Thailand (38, $21); Malaysia (38, $21); Chile 

## &l (19, $24); Singapore (11, $6). 

# f:l 2841.50.9100 Other 929 928 3,940 Republic ofKorea (160, $599); China (108, $419); Indonesia (I03, $161); Canada I:"" (94, $391); Vietnam (89, $365); Thailand (61, $222); India (53, $115); South

## ~ Africa (37, $772); Russia (34, $89); Lithuania (31, $83). 

# El Total salts 30,500 31,500 31,100 33,400 3206.20.0000 Pigments and preparations, gross weight 2,540 8,640 1,810 10,600 Mexico (1,480, $5,910); Canada (89, $499); Colombia (40, $568); Brazil (32, $475); Germany (32, $375). 

# xx Not applicable. IData are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. zHarmonized TariffSchedule ofthe United States ofAmerica.

3More than 4% carbon.**~ot** more than 4% carbon.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ")



# - :::;

U>:-J TABLE 5**~** 

# '> 0 

### 5S Z Not more than 0.5% carbon U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF FERROCHROMIUM, BYCOUNTRyl

More than 0.5% carbon, but More than 3% carbon, but

not more than 3% carbon not more than 4% carbon More than 4% carbon () tIl illTS2 code 7202.49.5090} (HTS2 code 7202.49.501O} (HTS2 code 7202.49.1OOO} (HTS2 code 7202.41.0000} Total all grades 

# '" tIl Gross Cr Gross Cr Gross Cr Gross Cr Gross Cr r' tIl 

## >­ fJJ weight (metric content (metric Value weight (metric content (metric Value weight (metric content (metric Value weight (metric content (metric Value weight (metric content (metric Value**~** Country tons) tons) (thousands) tons) tons) (thousands) tons) tons) (thousands) tons) tons) (thousands) tons) tons) (thousands) 2010:

Albania 1,370 903 $3,280 11,600 7,610 $16,700 13,000 8,510 $20,000 Belgium 500 351 2,020 20 15 $79 520 367 2,100 Brazil 19 12 49 19 12 49 China 2,570 1,520 6,860 140 92 $371 40 40 123 960 667 1,770 3,710 2,320 9,130 Finland 429 217 415 429 217 415 France (3) (3) 3 (3) (3) 3 Germany 5,240 3,670 21,800 50 35 176 5,290 3,710 21,900 India 475 292 611 13,300 8,170 18,900 13,800 8,470 19,500 Japan 2,050 1,420 9,010 2,050 1,420 9,010 Kazakhstan 2,920 1,860 8,150 112,000 77,900 194,000 115,000 79,700 203,000 Latvia 200 140 375 200 140 375 Netherlands 81 60 298 81 60 298 Romania 3,030 1,710 3,410 3,030 1,710 3,410 Russia 32,400 22,600 98,500 1,050 720 2,840 636 350 473 33,500 21,300 53,300 67,600 45,000 155,000 Slovenia 100 62 139 100 62 139 South Africa 1,000 608 3,080 1,180 640 2,110 243,000 121,000 250,000 245,000 122,000 255,000 Sweden 23 16 138 8,050 5,190 14,200 8,070 5,210 14,300 Switzerland 96 67 124 96 67 124 Turkey 1,700 1,210 5,450 11,000 7,280 20,000 12,700 8;480 25,400 United Kingdom 24 19 68 24 19 68


### c::: 

## 0 Cl tIl 0 r' 0 Cl 

# n >­ r' fJJ 

### c::: Zimbabwe Total 2011:

Albania Belgium Brazil China Finland 49,900

284 61 1,220

. 708 34,300

197 41 729 466 159,000

593 266 3,170 2,460 2,370 1,450 5,320 1,170

(3) 697

(3) 1,290

4 16,500 454,000

8,520

3 214 9,550 261,000

5,440

2 III 23,400 597,000

12,500

9 212 16,500 507,000

8,800

61 1,220

711 214 9,550 297,000

5,630

41 729 468 III 23,400 763,000

13,100

269 3,170 2,470

212

## ~ tIl 

### .-< Germany India 6,540 4,580 31,600 95 54 105 13,400 8,080 19,300 6,540 13,500 4,580 8,140 31,600 19,400**~** 

## Z tIl Japan Kazakhstan 2,660 8,070 1,860 5,660 13,500 23,200 120,000 83,000 190,000 2,660 128,000 1,860 88,700 13,500 213,000 

# s: Netherlands 17 II 61 17 II 61 r' fJJ Portugal 501 323 719 501 323 719 

### .-< Russia 31,400 21,600 101,000 40 31 150 1,390 786 1,020 33,000 21,900 56,500 65,800 44,300 159,000

### ~ 

## Gl 

# 8 

# r South Africa 20 Sweden 20 Turkey 2,770 See footnotes at end oftable. II 14 1,970 61 103 9,410 353 193 762

20 14 64 243,000 11,100 8,690 119,000 7,370 5,680 248,000 22,300 16,000 244,000 11,100 11,500 120,000 7,390 7,660 249,000 22,400 25,500

t-> 

# :=(') 

### :r:: 

# i**~** 

## :=

# ~**~** 

# g Not more than 0.5% carbon (HTS2code 7202.49.5090) Gross Cr weight content (metric (metric Value TABLE 5-Continued 

## u.s. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OFFERROCHROMIUM, BYCOUNTRyl

Morethan 0.5% carbon, but

not more than 3% carbon (HTS2code 7202.49.50102 Gross Cr weight content (metric (metric Value More than 3% carbon, but
not more than4%**c~rbon** More than 4% carbon {HTS2 code 7202.49.10002 {HTS2 code 7202.41.00002 Gross Cr Gross Cr weight content weight content (metric (metric Value (metric {metric Value Gross weight (metric Total all grades Cr content {metric Value

# ~ !:l lData arerounded to no morethan three significant digits; maynot add to totals shown. 2Harmonized TariffSchedule ofthe United States ofAmerica. JLess than Y, unit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

:-'

-.]

## :::; TABLE 6

QO 

## ;; u.s. IMPORTS FORCONSUMPTION OFCHROMIUM MATERIALS, BY TYPE'

ti 2011

### ~ Z Valuel Sources in 2011 (") 

### m HTS2 code Type (metric tqns) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (Quantityinmetric Ions, value in thousands)**~**

# ~ .2610.00.0020 )­ V> 

### m 151 $80 South Africa (71, $44); India (54, $3); Canada (25, $22), Germany (1, $11).**~** Cr203 content XX 78 XX 2610.00.0040 Morethan 40%, but less than46% Cr2 0 3: Gross weight 65,400 $11,000 27,900 7,040 South Africa (aU). Cr20 3 conlent 29,900 XX 12,600 XX 2610.00.0060 46% ormore Cr203: Gross weight 73,600 ' 18,600 163,000 60,700 South Africa (163,000, $60,700); Germany (I, $10); Netherlands (I, $8). Cr20 3 content XX 

### XX Total chromile ore:

Gross weight 139,000 29,500 r 191,000 67,900 Cr20l content**~OOO'** XX 103,000 XX Chromiumferroalloys:

Ferrochromium: 7202.495090 Notmore than 0.5% carbon: Gross weight 49,900 159,000 53,700 186,000 Russia (31,400, $101,000); Kazakhstan (8,070, $23,200); Germany (6,540, Cr content 34,300 XX 37,100 XX $31,600); Turkey (2,770, $9,410); Japan (2,660, $13,500); Brazil (1,220, $3,170); China (708, $2,460); Albania (284, $593); Belgium (61, $266); South Africa (20, $61); Sweden (20, $103); Netherlands (17, $61). 7202.49.5010 Morethan 0.5%, but less than 3% carbon:

, Gross weight 2,370 • 5,320 • 393 • 912 • South Africa (353, $762); Russia (40, $150). Crcontent 1,450 • 

### XX' 224 • XX'
More than 3%, but less than 4% carbon:**~** Gross weight 1,170 • 1,290 • 1,510 • 1,200' Russia (1,390, $1,020); India (95, $105); Turkey (20, $64). 

# '" Cr content 697 • XX • 855 • XX' 

## gJ More than 4% carbon: 

## a 

# S Cl Gross weight Crcontent 454,000 • 261,000 • 597,000 •



# . 462,000 • 265,000 • 602,000' South Africa (243,000, $248,000); Kazakhstan (120,000, $190,000); Russia' XX' (33,000, $56,500); Zimbabwe (23,800, $37,000); India (13,400, $19,300);'

# ~ Sweden (11,100, $22,300); Turkey (8,690, $16,000); Albania (8,520, $12,500); • r' 7202.50.0000 Portugal (SOl, $719); Finland (214, $212); Vietnam (150, $360); China (3, $9).• V> 

## c: 17,000 28,200 20,000 33,600 Kazakhstan (17,100, $28,258); Russia (2,880, $5,337).

### ~ Cr content 7,210 XX 7,820 XX 

### m 

## -< Tolal Chromium ferroalloys:**~** 

## Z Gross weight Cr content 524,000 305,000 791,000 XX 538,000 311,000 824,000 

## xX

# ~ Chromium metal, gross weight: r' <:Il 8112.21.1000 Unwrought chromiumpowders 1,860 22,800 2,720 40,000 China (1,660, $23,500); Russia (435, $5,510); United Kingdom (323, $4,840); 

## -< m ;.­ 8112.22.0000 Waste and scrap 544 2,260 574 France (279, $5,190); Germany (14, $613); Japan (5, $214); India (4, $55). 2,090 Mexico (545, $1,620); United Kingdom (13, SI21); Germany (12, $200);

## ~ Singapore (3, $54); Japan (I, $100). 

## a a 

# r

tv 

# :=



# -

# g TABLE 6-Continued U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF CHROMIUM MATERIALS, BY TYPE' 

# ! 25

2010 2011 Quantity Value3 Quantity Value3 Sources in 20II

o HTS2 code Type (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (Quantity in metric tons, value in thousands) 8112.29.0000 Other than waste and scrap 10,600 123,000 ' 10,300 150,000 Russia (3,580, $49,200); United Kingdom (2,850, $41,300); France (2,210, 

## ;; $35,200); China (1,530, $21,000); Germany (99, $2,020); Netherlands (57, d 

# :;; $784); Japan (16, $360). 

## z Total chromium metal 13,000 148,000 13,600 192,000 

## Q Chemicals, gross weight: Chromium oxides and hydroxides:

# ~ 2819.10.0000 Chromium trioxides 5,050 14,100 5,770 18,700 Turkey (4,460, $12,300); China (445, $2,950); Kazakhstan (427, $1,580);

Vl South Africa (245, $831); Colombia (82, $592); Canada (40, $131); Netherlands 

### .!:l (36, $140); Spain (20, $143); Mexico (6, $18); France (4, $17);**Germ~ny** (I, $13). 2819.90.0000 Other 3,200 13,800 1,330 8,550 China (859, $5,530); Germany (202, $1,650); India (80, $400); Kazakhstan (57, $373); Canada (47, $60); France (38, $250); Finland (21, $103); Japan (17, $113); Colombia (9, $70). Total oxides 8,240 27,900 7,100 27,300 2833.29.4000 Sulfates ofchromium 32.5 351 308 368 Turkey (234, $263); China (40, $50); India (17, $20); Mexico (17, $29). Salts ofoxometallic orperoxometallic acids: 2841.90.4500 Chromates oflead and zinc 168 701 144 628 China (44, $203); Japan (37, $163); Austria (36, $127); Colombia (26, $128).

2841.30.0000 Sodium dichromate 150 438 268 772 China (20I, $602); Turkey (54, $110); Colombia (13, $57). Other chromates and dichromates;

Peroxochromates: 2841.50.1000 Potassium dichromate 12 59 18 71 Austria (all). 2841.50.9100 Other 439 1,530 243 936 Austria (185, $613); Brazil (19, $54); Germany (16, $139); France (10, $41); Colombia (7, $24); China (3, $19); Canada (2, $8); Taiwan (I, $25). Total salts 769 2,730 673 2,410 2849.90.2000 Chromium carbide 242 4,370 276 5,690 China (114, $1,990); United Kingdom (95, $1,540); Canada (47, $1,230); Austria (10, $541); Germany (5, $228); Hong Kong (3, $57); Mexico (I, $90); Japan (I, $19). Total chromium chemicals 9,580 35,400 8,350 35,700 Pigments and preparations based on chromium,

gross weight: 3206.20.00I 0 Chrome yellow 1,550 7,030 1,990 8,980 China (1,150, $3,990); Canada (605, $4,020); Colombia (128, $536); Mexico (65, $274); Germany (41, $152). 3206.20.0020 Molybdenum orange 349 2,730 328 2,790 Canada (237, $2,230); Colombia (65, $386); Mexico (19, $112); China (4, $27); Germany (3, $29). 3206.20.0030 Zinc yellow 92 282 25 80 China (19, $56); Mexico (5, $21); Canada (I, $3).

3206.20.0050 Other 292 1,540 306 1,740 France (143, $507); China (46, $334); Poland (38, $275); Germany (32, $266); Japan (19, $142); India (14, $135); Canada (9, $39); Italy (5, $23); United Kingdom (I, $9). Total pigments 2,280 11,600 2,650 13,600 'Revised. XXNot applicable.

-- Zero.

IData are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Harmonized TariffSchedule ofthe United States ofAmerica. 3Customs import value generally represents a value in the foreign country, and therefore, excludes U.S. import duties, freight, insurance, and other charges incurred inbringingthe merchandise into the United States. :--' 'Correction posted June 25, 2013. 

# '"TABLE 7 WORLD PRODUCTION CAPACITYAND APPARENT CONSUMPTION OF CHROMITE ORE, FERROCHROMIUM, CHROMIUM METAL, CHROMIUM CHEMICALS, AND STAINLESS STEEL" i

(Thousand metric tons ofcontained chromium)

Production capacity in 20II 2 Ferro- Stainless Apparent consumption Country Afghanistan Ore 2 chromium Metal Chemicals steel 2009 2 2010 2 20112 NA ppf 

# NA NA Albania 87 8 7 -49 -29 2.77 NA NA Argentina 13 20 43 36 3.05 NA NA Austria II 39 67 -9 3.89 NA NA Belgium 259 177 243 266 3.98 NA NA Brazil 193 72 83 98 155 165 3.13 43.3 0.54 Canada 16 30 27 3.85 79.4 6 0.56 6
China 60 1,430 6 70 2,210 6,740 7,690 8,260 3.52 43.1 0.30 Czech Republic 3 18 24 16 3.14 NA NA Finland 185 126 170 48 15 41 4.05 92.4 0.59 France 7 52 77 117 107 3.85 NA NA Germany 18 I 267 325 514 550 4.03 NA NA Greece (7) 2 2.83 NA NA India 1,170 480 (7) 31 330 732 587 900 3.08 12.4 0.25 Iran 81 5 2 77 75 75 2.49 NA NA Italy 271 308 402 432 3.67 NA NA Japan II 17 655 509 877 872 3.93 NA NA Kazakhstan 1,140 852 2 37. 330 1,130 1,140 2.69 17.0 0.32 Korea, Republic of 361 385 526 504 3.70 NA NA Madagascar 42 (7) NA 42 2.72 42.0 0.38 Oman 259 192 54 186 2.89 

## Nt>­ NA Pakistan 52 3 6 -90 -56 2.83 NA 

## NA Philippines 5 4 4 5 3.02 13.0 0.33 Poland 13 27 27 3.43 51.2 0.45 Russia 275 353 16 31 31 497 275 23 2.58 24.6 0.30 Slovenia 20 14 22 17 3.29 NA NA South Africa 3,270 1,920 23 112 -856 77 -391 3.67 44.5 0.33 Spain 189 115 169 NA 3.70 57.6 0.34 Sudan 17 -3 17 17 2.10 NA NA Sweden 78 116 78 73 78 3.85 85.5 0.59 Taiwan 257 NA NA NA 3.71 NA NA Turkey 572 50 17 -13 -61 -29 j.51 41.0 0.50 Ukraine 21 NA NA 27 2.85 NA NA United Arab Emirates 10 7 8 NA 3.78 NA NA United Kingdom 7 60 43 37 45 3.90 NA NA United States 38 420 165 335 393 3.93 65.1 8 0.43 8 Vietnam 31 NA NA 12 3.00 14.4 0.30

.Zimbabwe

### -=-::-:8c::5__

### ---=--:.2~0:_-_:_:,___--_:_::_=__-_::_:c:_:_--_:C2='9=_--'3=_=4='=9,___----1_=8:"c1**_---'2::.5=5=:--_-=2~1.:::8--0::.2=1':**

Total 7,650 5,530 40 282 5,900 XX XX XX XX XX XX 'Estimated. NA Not Available. XXNot applicable.

-- Zero.

iDataare rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Estimated based on U.S. Geological Surveyreported chromite oreproduction and United Nations trade statistics (COMTRADE) assuming that chromite ore imports are reported in contained Cr203; chromium ferroalloys, contained chromium; and exports, gross weight. 3Logistics Performance Index from Connecting to Compcte 2012, TheWorld Bank. 4Policy Potential Index from Survey ofMining Industries 2011-\2, Frasier Institute. SCurrent Mineral Potential from Survey ofMining Industries 2011-12, Frasier Institute. 60ntario. 7Less than Y, unit. 8Average over multiple States.

17.20 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEYMINERALS YEARBOOK-2011Total TABLE 8 CHROMITE: WORlDPRODUCTION, BYCOUNTRy1,2

(Metric tons, gross weight)

2007 2008 2009 2010 6,491 6,500 r 6,000 6,000 6,500 199,771 207,104 '288,759 289,687 290,000 253,400 224,809 119,314 627,772 ,664,347 365,210 520,129 r 520,200 p,5 200,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 556,100 613,543 246,817 245,000 245,000

1,400 5 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,600 3,320,000 3,900,000 3,760,000 3,800,000 3,850,000

185,760 268,586 255,129 250,000 • 250,000 3,687,200 3,552,000 3,544,000 3,760,000 r,' 3,800,000

77,700 r 112,600 r 131,800 r 134,500 ' 140,000 407,822 859,748 636,482 801,856 616,700 5 108,000 r 104,000 r 174,000 r 120,000 r 130,000 31,592 15,268 14,322 r 14,807 r 15,000 776,681 913,000 416,194 400,000 e 450,000 9,646,958 9,682,640 7,560,938 10,871,095 10,200,000 15,476 27,094 14,087 56,823 57,000 1,678,932 , 1,885,712 1,573,993 1,904,461 ' 1,900,000

19,000 34,350 23,770 25,000 103,830 55,880 37,105 40,000 r 40,000**44~,584** r 193,673r 510,000 r 600,000 614,559 r

__C-'-C2.::-'--,.-_-'-'-'-'-'-

_____ 22,500,000 '23,800,000'**19,~Q"'0,"-000"_"'__r**_ _=_:1c:.::.::.!.:..::.::_____'==::...:...:L.:...:. 24,000,000 r 23,300,000

_____ <Estimated. PPre1iminary. 'Revised.••Zero. 'World totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Table includes data available through August 22,2012. 3Figures for all countries represent marketable output unless otherwise noted. 4Gross weight estimated assuming an average grade of44% chromic oxide (Cr203)'**~eported** figure. "Ore grade was 18% to 42%chromic oxide (Cr203)'

7Average chromic ol'ide (Cr203) content was as follows: 2007-40.3%; 2008-42.5%; 2009-40,0%; 2010-49.7% (revised); and 2011-49.7% (estimated).

CHROMIUM-20Il [ADVANCE RELEASE] 17.21TABLE 9 FERROCHROMIUM: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY" 2

(Metric tons, gross weight)

. Country 2007 2008 2009 2010 201le Albania 11,916 7,556 8,000 C 8,000 Brazie 195,890 194,324 131,048 277,114 ' 277,000 P China' 1,300,000 1,500,000 1,810,000 2,400,000 ' 2,600,000 Finland 241,760 233,550 123,310 125,000 ' 125,000 Germany 22,030 26,960 13,667 17,300 ',C 17,800 Indiae ,4 820,000 750,000 873,385 5 850,000 830,000 Iran' 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 JaEan6 12,016 13,888 7,698 16,208 16,000 Kazakhstan 1,307,536 1,220,315 1,173,286 1,311,302 !,300,000 Romania' 6,000 ' 15,000 ' 14,000 ' Russia' 570,000 490,000 378,000 5 414,000 430,000 South Africa 3,551,983 3,268,659 2,346,132 ' 3,607,132 3,700,000 Sweden 124,403 117,053 31,345 36,000 C 36,000 Turkey 69,730 79,840 41,028 60,000 e 60,000 United States? W W W Zimbabwe 187,327 145,430 72,223 146,000 ',C 140,000

Total 8,410,000 8,070,000 ' 7,030,000 ' 9,290,000 ' 9,550,000 eEstimated. PPreliminary. 'Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; not included in "Total."

-- Zero. 'World totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Table includes data available through August 22,2012. 3Includes high- and low-carbon ferrochromium. 4Reported on a fiscal year basis, which is from April I to March 31. Includes ferrochrome and charge chrome. SReported figure. 6Includes high- and low-carbon ferrochromium and ferrochromium-silicon. ?Includes chromium metal, high- and low-carbon ferrochromium, ferrochromium-silicon, and other chromium materials.

17.22 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK-2011

# EUSGS

science forachanging world 

# 2011 Minerals Yearbook

CHROMIUM [ADVANCE RELEASE]

u.s. Department ofthe Interior ' April 2013 U.S. Geological Survey [Revised June 2013]