[SMM Chromium Flash] Rising Attacks on Pakistan's Balochistan Mining Routes Threaten Chromite Supply Chain

Madagascar's state-owned chrome producer Kraomita Malagasy (KRAOMA) is preparing to resume extraction at its Brieville chrome operation, after years of inactivity. The company's interim management has begun reforms and discussions with employees, while part of the funds recovered through an anti-corruption investigation has been used to settle six months of outstanding wages, with the company also allocating funds toward restarting operations at Brieville. KRAOMA has reportedly not exported chrome since 2019. The potential restart could return a previously dormant African chrome-ore supplier to the international market. KRAOMA historically produced high-grade chromite concentrate, while Madagascar's chrome sector has faced prolonged financial, operational and governance challenges. With international chrome prices having improved from the levels that contributed to KRAOMA's earlier difficulties, a successful restart could create additional African supply and potentially broaden sourcing options for Chinese chrome-ore consumers. However, the timing and scale of any renewed production and exports remain subject to KRAOMA's operational and financial recovery.

SMM learned that a European stainless steel producer purchased 3 truckloads of molybdenum oxide briquettes yesterday totaling about 75 tonnes. On DDP basis, one truck traded at $33.65/lb Mo, while the other two traded at $33.80/lb Mo each. The lowest-priced lot was supplied by an international trader and nets back to about $33.20/lb Mo after freight and other charges. Market sources said this lot may be Armenian-origin, although this remains unconfirmed. The other two trucks were supplied by major international molybdenum suppliers. Market feedback suggests that news of the lower-priced overseas deal may have contributed to the sharp weakening in China’s market sentiment this afternoon, with ferromolybdenum transactions falling from about RMB345,000/tonne yesterday to RMB341,000/tonne.

South Africa's Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) issued a media statement on September 19, 2026, clarifying its position in ongoing litigation between the Bapedi Kingdom and Samancor Chrome Ltd concerning the Wintersveld and Jagdlust farms in Limpopo, where Samancor Chrome has held a mining right since 2016. The statement was issued in response to media reports the Department said had mischaracterized its role in the proceedings. According to the DMPR, the Bapedi Kingdom obtained an ex parte order from the High Court in December 2025 authorizing rehabilitation works on the properties through contractor Envirostep (Pty) Ltd and interdicting what the order described as unlawful mining activities. The Department was cited as a respondent in that application but, following legal advice from the State Attorney, elected not to oppose or participate in it. Samancor Chrome was not cited as a party at that stage. The order was varied in February 2026 to apply to both farms, with Samancor Chrome still not cited. In May 2026, after the South African Police Service seized equipment belonging to Envirostep, the Bapedi Kingdom obtained a further ex parte order restraining SAPS and the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources from interfering with the rehabilitation activities, a development SAPS subsequently opposed. The matter was argued at a joint hearing on July 31, 2026, after which judgment was reserved; as of the Department's statement, no ruling had been handed down. The Department used the statement to draw a clear distinction between its own regulatory role and Samancor Chrome's position as mining right holder, stating that it does not itself hold a mining right or license over the Wintersveld and Jagdlust properties, and that the court order in question did not suspend or set aside any DMPR-held license. The mining right at the center of the dispute belongs to Samancor Chrome and remains the subject of the pending litigation. The Department also addressed allegations, raised by a party to the proceedings, that it had failed to discharge its regulatory responsibilities under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, stating that these claims have not been judicially determined and should not be presented as established findings against it. The Department said it respects the judicial process, will continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities while the matter remains pending, and will continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies on allegations of criminality in the minerals sector. No date has been given for when a ruling is expected.