Company Overview

Where We Come From

Samancor Chrome’s history dates back to 1975 when it was established as a listed entity on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, as a result of a merger between SA Manganese Ltd and Amcor Ltd. SA Manganese was formed in 1926 to mine manganese ore deposits in the Northern Cape, whilst Amcor was established in 1937 to exploit mineral deposits for the steel industry and to process those minerals into ferroalloys.

Samancor remained listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange until its delisting in 1998, when Billiton and Anglo American bought out minority shareholders. Initially, Samancor Limited managed its Manganese and Chrome operations separately, but in 2004, bids were invited for the Chrome Assets. The Kermas Group successfully acquired Samancor Limited from Billiton and Anglo American after the manganese business was unbundled in 2005 and 2006, renaming it Samancor Chrome Limited. As a result, Samancor Chrome Holdings Proprietary Limited was established as its 100% shareholder. Its shareholding comprises Africa Chrome (majority shareholder), a Japanese consortium (Hanwa/Jogmeg), and Black Empowerment Shareholders, including entrepreneurs, employees, women in mining, and communities.

From early 2016 to the latter part of 2017, Samancor Chrome successfully acquired the ferrochrome smelting assets and chrome mining assets from the business rescue practitioner of International Ferrometals, and likewise the smelting assets from the business rescue practitioners of ASA Metals through a series of transactions, the latter together with Sinosteel.

Samancor Chrome

As a successful company that is active in the global arena, Samancor Chrome pays close attention to business ethics. These determine the way that business objectives and profitability are achieved.

Who We Are

Samancor Chrome’s core business is the mining and smelting of chrome ore. With an annual capacity of 2.4 million tons of ferrochrome, we are the largest integrated ferrochrome producer globally. Our ferrochrome is primarily used in different areas of the stainless steel smelting process.

Samancor Chrome is a private company, currently owned by Samancor Chrome Holdings Proprietary Limited. The company was sold to the Kermas Group in June 2005, after BHP Billiton (60% ownership) and Anglo American (40% ownership) evaluated several offers that promised the best future for the company and value for shareholders.

The company’s corporate office is based in Sandton, Johannesburg. Six ferrochrome plants and two chrome ore mining complexes operate as separate business units in different locations in South Africa:

  • Western Chrome Mines in the Rustenburg area in the North West Province.
  • Eastern Chrome Mines near the Lydenburg /Steelpoort area of the Limpopo Province.
  • TC Smelter in the Rustenburg area of the North West Province.
  • Ferrometals near eMalahleni in the Mpumalanga Province.
  • Middelburg Ferrochrome near Middelburg in the Mpumalanga Province.
  • Tubatse Ferrochrome in the Lydenburg / Steelpoort area of the Limpopo Province.
  • Tubatse Alloy in the Burgersfort Area of the Limpopo Province.
  • Dikwena Chrome in the Brits area of the North West Province.

What We Do

South Africa supplies over 30% of global ferrochrome demand, owing to the following factors:

  • The Bushveld Igneous Complex, which holds nearly 70% of the world’s chromite reserves.
  • The development of the AOD process in the early sixties, which introduced South African charge chrome to the stainless steel industry.
  • Historically cheap power, driven by extensive steam coal reserves.

Ferrochrome is the primary ingredient in stainless steel, typically containing 18% chrome and 8% nickel. The chrome gives stainless steel its lustrous appearance and corrosion resistance.

Over 90% of Samancor Chrome’s chrome ore is used to produce ferrochrome in South Africa, with the remainder exported. Around 90% of our chrome alloy production is also exported to stainless steel producers globally.

Samancor Chrome operates five fully integrated chrome alloy plants, with a combined annual production capacity of over 2 million tons of charge chrome. Our total chromite resources exceed 900 million tons, which are expected to sustain current mining operations for over 100 years at the current extraction rate. Most ore is converted into ferrochrome, with some ores and concentrates exported.

Where We're Going

Samancor Chrome is the world’s largest ferrochrome producer, with the capacity to produce over 2 million metric tons of charge chrome annually, subject to market conditions. In addition, we sell more than 0.5 million metric tons (Mt) of specialty-grade chrome ore per annum, both locally and for export.

The potential of the company’s mineral resources, its dynamic leadership, and the technological innovation, infrastructure and knowledge capital developed over the years, combine to depict a very positive future for Samancor Chrome.

Samancor Chrome continues to develop and implement best practices in all areas of operation.