Xstrata Alloys (Pty) Ltd, Wonderkop Works, is situated in the Marikana Area in the North West Province. Wonderkop consists of six semi closed arch furnaces, two pelletizing plants as well as the beneficiation plant, with the associated waste management facilities. Xstrata Wonderkop is currently constructing a third pelletizing plant on the property, which is scheduled to commission during the 3rd quarter of 2007. The third pelletizing plant, Bokamoso will be the largest pelletizing plant in the world, producing some 100 000 tons of pellets per month.
The raw materials used at Xstrata Wonderkop plant, with the exception of some of the reductants, are found within a radius of 300 km of the site. The type of raw materials used includes:
- Chrome Ore
- Reductants
- Fluxing Agents
The alloy produced at the six submerged arc furnaces is a silvery grey alloy metal which contains:
- 48 – 52 % Cr
- 7 – 8 % Carbon
- 3 – 5 % Silicon
- 35 – 37 % Fe