Chrome and Manganese

South Africa is the world's largest integrated ferrochrome producing country. Chrome is second to gold in terms of foreign exchange earnings and the industry is supported by backward supply chain integration. This is achieved through joint ventures between ferrochrome producers and stainless steel producers abroad, which guarantee supply agreements.

The average annual growth rate potential is 5%, directly linked to the growth in the stainless steel industry and SA producers are among the world's largest diversified resource producers. Up to 80% of the world's known chrome ore reserves are in Southern Africa and SA producers, who supply in excess of 60% of the world's ferrochrome production, are aiming to increase their market share, from just over 60% to 74% by 2008.

Transnet Freight Rail is committed to serving the ferro-alloy industry, conveying primarily ferrochrome as well as chrome ore for use mainly in the chemical industry for export. Bulk raw materials, such as metallurgical-grade chrome ore, are transported from the mines at the Eastern and Western chrome ore belts to the strategically located ferro-alloy beneficiation plants at Rustenburg, Witbank, Middelburg, Lydenburg and Steelpoort.

The processed product (ferrochrome) is railed from beneficiation plants to stockpile facilities at the Port of Richards Bay prior to export. Transnet Freight Rail recently started exporting ferrochrome through Maputo Harbour in Mozambique. Transnet Freight Rail together with other service providers, such as SAPO, offer efficient service designs, customised to meet the customer's requirements. Aspects such as reducing multiple handling and the likelihood of contamination, as well as the reclaiming of ship parcels from the stockpiles, are addressed in the service design.

Rail wagons cater both for ores and beneficiated products. Feeder and delivery services give due consideration to environmental requirements and a commitment to joint investment programmes accommodates continuous increased demand.

Our Service

A number of trains have been dedicated, subject to certain conditions, to serve the ferrochrome and chrome ore industry, offering customers in this portfolio guaranteed capacity. offerSAPOs services pertaining to supply chain functions, such as off-loading, stockpiling and shipping. Effective management systems, some of which are e-enabled, and control mechanisms enable maximum output of the freight solutions.

Our Customers

Our major customers in this sector include:

Contact Us

Chrome

Graham Procter
Tel: 013 658 2208
Mobile: 083 286 1350
E-mail: Graham.Procter@transnet.net

Manganese

Samantha Herbert
Tel: (011) 544 9530
Mobile: 083 463 9023
E-mail: Samantha.Herbert@transnet.net

Zunaid Motlekar
Tel: 053 838 2161
Fax: 053 838 2161
Mobile: 083 286 2184
E-mail: Zunaid.Motlekar@transnet.net

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