In 2005, BHP Billiton who are the largest diversified miner in the world (arguably I guess with recent mergers) sold their 60% interest in Samancor who are a large chromite producer for $496 million. Billiton is an iron ore and coking coal focused company whose exit from ferrochrome is also puzzling. They would be a major that would be credible and the chrome falls within their product stable. Maybe XStrata is looking at moving away from South Africa. You never know what these big companies are strategizing or sacraficing to make a future profit.

Mike