Chromite: World Production, By Country Or Locality

This table presents the global production of chromite, a critical mineral primarily used in the manufacture of stainless steel and various alloys, by country or locality from 2019 through 2023. The data, expressed in metric tons of gross weight, highlights the scale and distribution of chromite mining worldwide, reflecting its economic importance in industrial applications such as metallurgy, refractory materials, and chemical production. Tracking production volumes by country provides insight into supply trends, resource availability, and market dynamics that influence global trade and pricing in the chromite sector.

Analysis of the data reveals that Kazakhstan remains the leading producer, with an estimated 6 million metric tons in 2023, slightly up from 5.7 million tons in 2022 but below its 2019 peak of nearly 7 million tons. South Africa also maintains a dominant position, producing over 19.6 million tons in 2023, with the majority being lower-grade chromite (less than 44% Cr2O3). India shows a strong rebound in 2023, with production estimated at 4.1 million tons, recovering from a dip to 2.4 million tons in 2020. Brazil and Albania consistently produce around 1.4 million and 920,000 tons respectively, indicating stable output. Notably, Afghanistan experienced a significant surge in production from 12,000 tons in 2021 to 52,000 tons in 2022, before declining to 38,000 tons in 2023. Turkey’s production remains robust at approximately 8.16 million tons in 2023, continuing an upward trend since 2020. The global total production of chromite increased steadily from 35.4 million tons in 2020 to an estimated 45.2 million tons in 2023, underscoring growing demand and expanding mining activities worldwide.