South Africa has become the entrance and comfort place for international companies coming to do business in Africa since the end of apartheid era. The country has been a launching platform for international firms expanding into Africa, be it Southern or over Sahara region and west Africa. The infrastructure has made this country more accessible and enabled it to be able to conduct business with global community.
Not only does South Africa have good infrastructure, but the country is also rich in minerals that attract international markets. The mining of commodities has contributed so much to the economy of this country. South Africa has large chrome reserves which contribute a substantial portion to the world markets for that import huge quantities of chrome products. Sadly, in South Africa is dominated by a few large mining houses. The mining houses have a customer base and sell directly to their customers in Europe, Asia and even America
Chrome ore is mainly exported to the Asian market, especially China. These very international clients also opt to rather buy the product directly from local sources; making small processing plants their preferred suppliers as it is cheaper to buy locally and export. Although the prices fluctuate, chrome is always in demand in big tonnages – making it a very lucrative product to sell into the market. Furthermore, the currency exchange rates also play a massive role in selling prices.
TMI has supplied amongst big clients; HMS group – German based company and listed in the German stock exchange, Tipuwell, Tobun & Tobun, EMWS and many others; while currently in the process of attracting more international clients, who are keen and have proven records of prepaying for chrome products with a number of local and other international suppliers.
