Chromium

The only mineral in which chromium metal can be produced economically is chromite. Chromite (FeCr₂O₄) mineral and chromium deposits are found in ultrabasic rocks. Pure chromite is rare. The chemical composition of the chrome ore determines its use in industry. While there are limitations on the chemical composition and physical properties of chrome ore according to its industrial usage areas, the usage limitations arising from the chemical composition of the ore are becoming more and more flexible in accordance with technological developments. High-iron chrome ore, which is defined as chemical ore, can now be used in the metallurgical industry with the developing technology.

Türkiye is a country rich in chrome deposits. The main chrome deposits in our country, where there are many chrome deposits, are located in Guleman (Elazığ), Fethiye, Köyceğiz (Muğla), Sivas-Erzincan-Kop Mountain region, between Mersin and Kayseri, between Balıkesir and Eskişehir, and between İskenderun and Kahramanmaraş. The factories that process chrome in our country are located in Elazig and Antalya.

Türkiye is one of the important countries in chrome production. Türkiye's important competitors in this market are South Africa, Kazakhstan and India. The reasons such as high metal recovery efficiency, directly used in ferrochrome production as a tuvenan, possible to produce quality metal (FeCr) due to low silica content, high grade metal is obtained due to high Cr/Fe ratio, its hardness causes less dusting provide a market advantage to the Turkish chromite ores.

Türkiye ranks fourth in the world's chrome reserves after South Africa, Kazakhstan and India.

Türkiye's chrome ore production increased by 13% compared to the previous year and amounted to approximately 7 million tons in 2021. 5.4 million tons of chromium ore was produced in 2022, but since the declaration periods for the places affected by the earthquakes in Kahramanmaras were extended due to force majeure, the updating of the production information for 2022 continues.

Türkiye exports some of the chrome it produces as ore and intermediate products. While approximately 1.5 million tons of products were exported in 2022, only 200 thousand tons were imported. In the same year, while the income from exports was approximately 712 million dollars, the import amount was approximately 123 million dollars. In 2022, there was a foreign trade surplus of approximately 589 million dollars in chrome.

The prices of Türkiye 40-42% piece chrome ore fluctuated between 2016-2019, remained stable between 2019-2021, and started to rise after 2021. The chrome ore price was approximately 330 USD/mt in May 2023.

Date of Update: 20 June 2023