Chromium Output Remains Stably High in Kazakhstan

Chromium Output Remains Stably High in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan occupies a position of the second world largest chromium manufacturer. Its stake in the global mine production was estimated at about 30% in 2011. The country’s yearly mine output reached 8.6 million tonnes then. It remained almost unchanged from the previous year.

Local buyers consumed 7.8 million tonnes in the same year. The amount stayed put if compared to 2010.

The country exports certain volumes of the material on an annual basis. Its export volumes, as a rule, hardly exceed 900,000 tonnes. Besides, they have registered a series of drops in recent years.

Kazakhstan’s exports of chromium ores and concentrates were assessed at around 770,000 tonnes in 2010, opposing to 1.04 million tonnes in 2007.

Trade balance of Chromium ores and concentrates in Kazakhstan in 2005-2010, tons

Russia and China were the key export markets for Kazakhstani traders in 2009 and 2010.

However, it is notable that the domestic vendors are not that active in chromium metal sell offers to potential overseas purchases.

The country also imports some chromium ores, concentrates and chromium metal each year. Its import volumes are not high though.

Most chromium ores and concentrates deliveries come from the Netherlands and Finland. Russia-based manufacturers are heard to participate in operations of the Kazakhstani import market, as well.

Structure of mine production of chromium, by country, 2011

Global reserves of chromite are evaluated at over 12.01 billion tonnes. The largest deposits are located in Kazakhstan and Southern Africa.

The world chromium mine production reached 30.4 million tonnes in 2011, up by 400,000 tonnes year on year.

South Africa, Kazakhstan and India were the leaders here in 2011. They produced 23.9 million tonnes in total. The figure did not change from a year earlier.

The global chromium manufacturing capacity is set to enhance by 2.4% per year. It is likely to amount to 34.2 million tonnes in 2016.

The consumption will mostly depend on the demand trends in the downstream stainless steel market.

More information on the chromium market can be found in the report Chromium Market Review

CONTACTS

Merchant Research & Consulting Ltd.
Julia Hill, Sales Manager
Tel: +44 20 7558 8740
Fax: +44 (20) 7900-3970
E-mail: [email protected]