Govt ponders banning raw chrome exports

MINES minister Walter Chidakwa has disclosed that the government is losing millions of dollars in potential revenue by allowing chrome miners to export the mineral in its raw form instead of beneficiated ferrochrome, which fetches a higher price on the international market.

Addressing journalists in the capital yesterday, Chidakwa said the ministry was now toying with the idea of banning raw chrome exports.

He said last year, raw chrome exports amounting to 284 943 tonnes only generated $31 million against 149 131 tonnes of high carbon ferrochrome, which earned the country $115 million.

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