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Samancor Chrome’s history goes back as far as 1975, when it was established as a result of a merger between SA Manganese Ltd and Amcor Ltd. SA Manganese was formed in 1926 to mine manganese ore in the Northern Cape. Amcor was established in 1937 to exploit mineral deposits for the steel industry and to process those minerals into ferroalloys.
Samancor was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange until 1998 when the minority shareholders were bought out by the then majority shareholders, Billiton and Anglo American. This resulted in the delisting of the company and shareholding of 60% African Metals Ltd (a BHPB Company) and 40% Anglo South Africa Capital (Proprietary) Ltd (an Anglo American company).
Samancor then consisted of chrome and manganese operations and stainless steel investments with marketing and distribution arrangements via structures held wholly and indirectly by BHPB and Anglo American. Towards the end of 2004, bids were invited for the purchase of Samancor Chrome. The successful bidder, the Kermas Group, effectively took over the operations from 1 June 2005. Samancor Chrome is currently owned by Samancor Chrome Holdings Proprietary Limited, which is in turn held by Terris Chrome Limited (which holds in excess of 70%), a minority shareholder and various Black Economic Empowerment Shareholders.
What we do
South Africa currently supplies in excess of 30% of world wide ferrochrome demand. This position can be ascribed to the following factors:
The Bushveld Igneous Complex, which contains nearly 70% of the estimated world reserves of chromite;
The development, in the early sixties, of the AOD process which facilitated the
introduction of South African charge chrome into the stainless steel industry; and
Historically cheap power, driven by the existence of extensive steam coal reserves.
Over 70% of Samancor Chrome’s chrome ore output is consumed in the production of ferrochrome in South Africa. The remainder of the ore is exported. Some 85% of chrome alloy production is exported to stainless steel producers across the globe. Stainless steel, a steel alloy, typically contains 18% chrome and 8% nickel. The chrome content in stainless steel gives it its luster, shiny appearance and resistance to corrosion.
Our outputs include the chrome ore extracted by our mines and chrome alloys produced by our plants. Samancor Chrome’s four fully integrated and self-reliant chrome alloy plants have a combined annual production capacity of more than 1.2 million tons of alloy, including charge chrome and ferrosilicon chrome.
The company’s total chromite resources exceed 650 million tons and are expected to support current mining activity for well over 100 years at the current rate of extraction. Some ores and concentrates are exported, but main allotments are destined for conversion into ferrochrome at the alloy plants.
Who we are
Samancor Chrome’s core business is the mining and smelting of chrome ore. With an annual capacity of some 1.2 million tons of ferrochrome and chromite ore, Samancor Chrome is one of the largest integrated ferrochrome producers in the world. We produce ferrochrome, which is used in different areas of the stainless steel smelting process.
Samancor Chrome is a private company. The previous shareholders, BHP Billiton (60% ownership) and Anglo American (40% ownership), sold the company to the Kermas Group in June 2005 after evaluating several offers to arrive at the option promising the most prosperous future for the company and the best value for shareholders. Samancor Chrome is currently owned by Samancor Chrome Holdings Proprietary Limited, which is, in turn, held by Terris Chrome Limited (which holds an excess of 70%), a minority shareholder, and various Black Economic Empowerment Shareholders.
The company’s corporate office is based in Sandton, Johannesburg. Four ferrochrome plants and two chrome ore mining complexes operate as separate business units in different locations in South Africa:
Western Chrome Mines in the Rustenburg area in the North West Province.
Eastern Chrome Mines near the Lydenburg /Steelpoort area of the Limpopo Province.
TC Smelter in the Rustenburg area in the North West Province.
Ferrometals near eMalahleni, Mpumalanga Province.
Middelburg Ferrochrome near Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province.
Tubatse Ferrochrome in the Lydenburg / Steelpoort area of the Limpopo Province.
Where we’re going
Samancor Chrome is the second largest ferrochrome producer in the world, producing, subject to market conditions, in excess of 1 million metric tons (Mt) of charge chrome per annum. In addition, Samancor Chrome sells more than 2 Mt of chrome ore per annum on the local and export market.
The potential of the company’s mineral resources, its dynamic leadership, and the technological innovation, infrastructure and knowledge capital developed over the years, combine to depict a very positive future for Samancor Chrome.
Samancor Chrome continues to develop and implement best practices in all areas of operation.Description
BALANCED SCORECARD PILLARS, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY
Participate and comply with SHEQ requirements (SHEQ Toolbox)
Participate in formal SHEQ Audits
Adhere to all Quality standards as determined by ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 requirements
Adhere to all Samancor Chrome SHEQ standards and requirements relating to Safety Health and Environment
Logging of near-miss on IMS
CUSTOMERS
Ensure Customer Satisfaction
BUSINESS PROCESSES
Check and verify identification and physical state of samples
Prepare samples mechanically for analysis
Drying, weighing, crushing, splitting/riffling and milling of samples as per works instruction
Physical receiving of samples as per procedure
Logging and receiving of samples on LIMS
Marking and labelling of sample tags and sample containers
Storing of reference samples according to specifications and colour codes
Dispose of all redundant samples
Perform sieve sizing analyses on samples and reporting on LIMS
Perform moisture analyses on samples and reporting on LIMS
Complete checklists of equipment prior to use
Prepare pressed sample discs and load sample for XRF analyses
Cleaning of the workplace to ensure that sample contamination does not take place and that the sample preparation process can be completed in a professional and appropriately scientific manner.
Carrying out any sampling activities as per procedure
Performing all analytical quality checks as required by standard operating procedures
Efficiency check on sample prep equipment
Replace gas cylinders
Authorised to operate all sample preparation equipment as per ISO17025 requirement
Perform friability analyses on geological samples when required (mine specific)
Perform turbidity, AFS and SG analysis on samples (mine specific)
Load samples for carbon and sulphur analyses (Smelter specific)
Draining effluent tank
SHAREHOLDER VALUE
Reduce wastage of both chemicals and consumables
Lean projects
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
Safety Awareness
Initiative
Managing Work
Results Orientation
Work Standards
Interpersonal Skills
Communication
Adaptability
Contributing to team Success
WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES:
Skills:
Microsoft Office
Samancor systems – IMS, Chromedoc, LIMS, EBMS, MES
Mathematical calculations
Knowledge:
Understanding ISO 17025 requirements
Sampling and Sample prep knowledge
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Grade 12/ N3 with Mathematics and Science
1-year relevant experience
Computer Literacy
Exposure to a Laboratory Information Management System would be advantageous.
