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"superalloys" for jet engines and other gas turbines. Imported chromium metal is a critical high-purity type not produced in the UK. 70% of world mine production of
chromium is in South Africa, Zimbabwe and the USSR.
b. Manganese. Virtually all steel production involves manganese either as an additive or a dissipative element.
The USSR and South Africa account for 50% of world mine
production. Gabon, Australia and Brazil are also large
producers. The most critical and vulnerable form is electrolytic manganese metal, vital in aluminium and
other non-ferrous alloys, and of which South Africa is
responsible for 60% western world production.
c.
Vanadium. Vanadium is important in the manufacture
of alloy steels, especially high-strength low-alloy
(HSLA) steels used in construction and transport. It is
not a rare metal but facilities for economic extraction
are extremely limited. South Africa and the USSR account for 75% of world mine production (including that derived
from oil). South Africa alone supplies 70% of western
world consumption, and production in that country is still expanding. Other primary sources are China and the US (mines and imported Caribbean oil); potential sources
include Chile, Australia, Venezuela (oil) and Canada (oil
sands), but none of these will alter the dominance of
South Africa in the foreseeable future.
UK IMPORT DEPENDENCE
3. The minerals shown below are important to the UK manufacturing industries in general, particularly to the aerospace and steel and allied industries. The approximate UK import dependence on raw material supplies and the main sources of supply are shown. The balance (to 100%) is made up
by recycled material and, in a few cases, by indigenous production.
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