In 2006 the Masa chrome recovery plant (“CRP”) was conceived and formed in a joint venture with Anglo American Platinum. Tailings from SBPM that contain chromite are recovered at the Masa plant. The CRP produces metallurgical, chemical and foundry grade chrome concentrate which are sold to the export markets. Locally sold metallurgical grade chrome ore are used in the production of ferrochrome (FeCr) in the domestic market.
The project entails the completion of a bankable feasibility study intended to assess the feasibility of constructing a ferrochrome smelter that will utilise DC arc smelting technology to produce approximately 380 000 tpa of ferrochrome at a cost that will place the smelter in the lowest cost quartile of the global production cost curve.
The smelter will derive its cost competitiveness from:
- Processing of low grade chromite consisting of dried fine material
- Minimal flux addition
- Use of proven and advanced DC technology
- Energy efficiency