[SMM Chromium Flash] Chrome and Ferrochrome Earned Zimbabwe $221.8m in H1 as Mining Title Deadline Nears

[SMM Tantalum Flash] Aterian reports that its Rwanda-based mineral-trading subsidiary, generated about US$154,000 of unaudited gross profit in the three months to 30 September. This was its fourth consecutive quarter of gross profit. During Q3, the business moved processing into a new 500-square-metre facility at Gahanga, Kigali, causing a three-week disruption, while additional deliveries under new supply arrangements began only in the final week of September. The update provides evidence of continued trading profitability, but Aterian disclosed neither Q3 tonnage nor realised tantalum prices. The company said tantalum concentrate prices remained at multi-decade highs and expects the new suppliers to contribute more in Q4; that is guidance, not booked performance. Higher throughput at Gahanga also remains to be demonstrated, with delivery timing and scale dependent on supplier performance and operating conditions.

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) expects Chinese smelter requirements and restocking to support chrome ore demand in the fourth quarter, although ferrochrome buying remains cautious. The outlook was presented alongside MMCZ's nine-month sales figures at a lithium media workshop and tour. MMCZ also expects commodity prices generally to stay significantly above 2025 levels over the period. MMCZ's sales rose 101.8% year-on-year to US$4.74 billion in the nine months to September, from US$2.347 billion a year earlier, with volumes up 23.4% to 4.738 million mt. The figures exclude gold and silver, which fall outside the corporation's marketing mandate. Lithium overtook PGMs as the largest revenue earner at US$2.16 billion, or 45.6% of sales. September sales alone reached US$685.03 million, up 116.6% year-on-year, while volumes rose 70.8% to about 844,001 mt. High-carbon ferrochrome and chrome concentrate were among the products that recorded increases in both value and volume, alongside steel, metallurgical coke, granite and diamonds. MMCZ General Manager Dr Nomusa Moyo attributed the broader improvement to higher international commodity prices, increased beneficiation, enhanced production, new markets and efforts to curb mineral leakages.

During China’s 2026 National Day holiday, overseas molybdenum prices were stable before firming. Busan 57% molybdenum oxide indications rose to $33.25–33.40/lb Mo on October 7, although higher levels await transaction confirmation. Ferromolybdenum trading remained subdued. Accidents and labour disruptions at Chilean mines increased supply uncertainty, but no measurable losses were confirmed. SMM expects prices to remain elevated and rangebound after the holiday......