Zimbabwe's chrome ore ban welcomed

Zimbabwe’s steel manufacturing sector has welcomed government's decision to ban the export of chrome ore, saying it will assist local players to secure ferrochrome at competitive prices. The banning of chrome ore and chrome concentrate follows a Cabinet resolution that was made in August. The Herald reports that the former is already in effect while the later will be implemented in July. Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services Monica Musvangwa said the ban would capacitate current smelters and maximise the value chain to be realised from the country's abundant resources. Institute of Zimbabwe Foundries president Itai Zaba said the move was crucial for the metal foundry industry. ‘Beneficiation will promote industrial growth via setting up of new plants and this will bring about the much-needed employment and also bring about technology transfer to Zimbabwe,’ he said.