Chromite is important because it is the only economic ore of chromium, an essential element for a wide variety of metal, chemical, and manufactured products. Many other minerals contain chromium, but none of them are found in deposits that can be economically mined to produce chromium.

What are the uses of chromite?

The chromium extracted from chromite is used in chrome plating and alloying for production of corrosion resistant superalloys, nichrome, and stainless steel. Chromium is used as a pigment for glass, glazes, and paint, and as an oxidizing agent for tanning leather. It is also sometimes used as a gemstone.

How does chromite affect the environment?

Chromite ore mining and concentrating produces dust, overburden, waste rock, tailings and tailings water. Ferrochrome production creates air pollution, dust, slag (waste produced during ferrochrome separation from ore) and process water.