Austrian miner and metals processor DCM DECOmetal Gmbh has reached a record monthly output of 3,000 tonnes of ferrochrome in Albania and aims to launch a second smelter there soon.

The privately owned company has grown into an integrated producer of ferrochrome and Albania's biggest producer and employer in the metals industry since 2007, when it bought a 20 to 30 year concession in Bulqize, the country's biggest chrome mine.

Ms Rohtraut Skatsche-Depisch said that Albania's chrome sector is known for its high grade ore, the design of its mines and smelters and their proximity to each other, which are key advantages while its road network is yet to be developed.

She said the company had so far invested over EUR 25 million (USD 35.4 million) to improve safety, develop the mine and to upgrade or build three furnaces at the Elbasan ferrochrome smelter.

She said that "Now we have three furnaces in Elbasan working. The second furnace started in August and we are now running with high carbon ferrochrome alloy at full capacity. We are running two furnaces at full capacity.”

Skatsche-Depisch said the furnaces produce about 3,000 tonnes of ferrochrome per month, which it exports to large steelmakers including market leader ArcelorMittal, Germany's ThyssenKrupp and First Alpine.

She said the alloy is also exported to North American markets and recently to Japan and China.

DCM DECOmetal accounts for part of Albania's 158%YoY increase in exports of minerals, fuel and power for the eight months from January through August as well as its 155% increase in exports of construction materials and base metals.

(Sourced from Reuters)