Chrome is a by-product of platinum mining, and SA miners including Sibanye are reporting increased income from the metal used in steelmaking at a time of sharply lower prices for the primary minerals.

The platinum group metals (PGM), used to curb automotive emissions, have experienced a steep price decline and face an uncertain future as sales of battery-powered vehicles grow.

At the same time, chrome prices have been buoyant, driven by demand from China, and producers expect a rebound after a cooling off in the last quarter of 2024.

The majority of Sibanye's chrome recovery plants at its SA PGM operations will be operated by the Glencore Merafe Venture, "enabling both parties to leverage synergies and increase chrome output", Sibanye said in a statement.

--Reuters--