Alloys

Ferrochrome and vanadium play an important role in the production of steel.

Ferrochrome has anti-corrosive properties and around 80% of all ferrochrome goes into the production of stainless steel, which is used in a range of products from cutlery to cars. Vanadium is a key ingredient in high strength steels required in buildings, cranes, bridges and other steel structures that require a high strength-to-weight ratio.

“We have improved energy efficiency at our smelters by around 25% using our own proprietary technology.” Peet Nienaber,
Chief Executive,
Xstrata Alloys

Platinum group metals, including platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium (PGMs), are an important component of catalytic converters to reduce emissions from vehicles. PGMs are also used to make jewellery and in other applications including computing, anti-cancer drugs and paint.

Efficiency through innovation

Our ferroalloys business is one of the world's largest integrated ferrochrome producers in the world. Thanks to our own Premus technology, developed by our alloys team and implemented at a number of our ferrochrome smelters, we run some of the world’s most energy-efficient chrome operations. The expansion of our major Lion ferrochrome smelter operation, a modern, highly efficient plant which uses Premus technology, is set to improve our overall energy efficiency and reduce operating costs further.

And our Bokamoso mega pelletising plant, together with a second facility, Tswelopele, currently under construction, mean we can transform waste material from chrome and platinum mining into pellets to feed our smelters. Using material that would otherwise be discarded as waste reduces the amount of mined ore we need, improves energy efficiency, reduces costs and means we dispose of less waste overall.