RE:Glencore Xstrata and the chromite ore Thanks GRAMPS1996 re Glencore South Africa Chromite Operations tour taking place on 28 August 2014.
It is a reminder of Falconbridge, after many lost decades by others of unappreciated prospecting & exploration practices, being able to obtain the green light for Raglan by properly involving Inuit Leaders in many such field trips & participations. Just by Glencore agreeing to the following, further assures their vital importance in supporting KWG & the ROF. Tour Leader
Johan de Villiers
Loading chromite ore underground
Geology and Operation:
The underground mine is operated by Glencore Xstrata and the chromite ore is mainly from the LG-6 chromitite layer of the Bushveld Complex. Two chromitite layers are processed in the smelter facility which consists of 4 semi-enclosed electric arc furnaces fed by two pelletising plants.
The chromitite layers occur in the lower part of the critical zone of the Bushveld Complex and the layers are up to 1m thick. The mineralogy is relatively constant consisting of predominant chromite, with minor plagioclase and orthopyroxene.
The friable ore chromite is beneficiated, and mixed with a binder to produce pellets and fired in grate furnaces. The pelletised ore is then smelted in submerged arc furnaces to produce a ferrochrome product and a slag which is discarded.