Annual Conferences

The recent event in Cape Town, South Africa, was another highly successful conference, underlining the ICDA’s position as the foremost global forum for the chromium industry since 1984.

The event, which was attended by more than 240 delegates from across the global chromium value chain, marked the conclusion of a year of celebrations for the ICDA’s 40th anniversary.

The event provided an opportunity to recall the ICDA’s history and give tribute to its founders, as well as to welcome new members and acknowledge the contribution of chromium and raw materials to the development of sustainable societies.

“It is challenging to envision a world without metals, the transportation you rely on daily, the food that is safely processed, the energy that powers our homes and appliances, the water that is brought to you safely, the hygienic medical applications, and the sustainability transition. These are all things that we often take for granted, but they would not be possible without the dedicated professionals working in the mining and metals industries. You are driving force that will shape the future of the chromium industry. I am pleased to see that the founders’ values and energy have been kept alive and passed on to you” Zelda du Preez, ICDA President

According to Dr Christie Viljoen, The global Megatrends have already changed and will continue to change societies for many years to come, amongst these climate change will have significant social consequences. He recalled that the mining sector in South Africa is a major driver of the economy and sustains millions of livelihoods through its products, day-to-day operational expenses and the employment it creates

We were delighted to have the opportunity to host several experts in the global chrome industry including Andy Tian (XGL) Clara Sadomba (Silvergill) as well as some of the leading analysts in the world of mining and metals, Tanya Atalay (ICDA), Luke Nickels (CRU), Tanisha Grace Schultz (project Blue), Dr Gerhard Pariser (SMR). 

There is a general consensus that global sustainability goals and geopolitical challenges will continue to strongly shape markets. Economic factors are having an impact on demand in a market that has seen significantly increased capacity development over the last decade.Systemic issues are also a potential threat to South African ferrochrome recovery, a topic that was extensively discussed during the SA session, which was led by several prominent local experts, Peter Major (Modern Corporate Solutions), Hugo Pienaar (Minerals Council South Africa), Robert Futter (Cresco), Henk Bouwer (ARM), Johan Strydom (Columbus Stainless). While there is a glimmer of hope that the GNU could invigorate the sector, a critical question remains: will this be sufficient to counterbalance the dominance of China’s ferrochrome industry?

Delegates had the opportunity to attend a session focusing on Southern African port questions, For Marla Calado (MPDC)  and Athol Emerton (LBH), the MPDC is a safe gateway for South African chrome ore and ferrochrome exports, given the systemic issues faced by SA ports. Charlotte Schmitt (Seamaster) presented a comprehensive overview of the various ports in SA, along with an analysis of the impact of road and rail challenges on SA exports

The event offered excellent networking opportunities, including a cocktail reception, a gala dinner, two networking lunches, and dedicated networking areas. Attendees were invited to experience a virtual reality journey through time, delving into the history of the ICDA. The gala dinner, which marked the conclusion of the 40-year celebration and the commencement of a new chapter in the ICDA’s history, was a standout occasion.