The main business of the Company is the production and sale of ferrochrome to the stainless steel industry through its 20, 5% participation in the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of the largest ferrochrome producer in the world: the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome Venture (the Venture). Merafe Resources has the right to increase its interest in the Venture to 26% over time. The Venture was established on 1 July 2004 when Merafe Resources and Xstrata South Africa (Pty) Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Xstrata plc) agreed to pool their chrome operations (while retaining ownership of their assets) and share in the EBITDA of the Venture. The Venture which supplies around 20% of the world’s ferrochrome requirements, is a low cost producer. Its production costs are contained through operational efficiency; developing and employing technology that makes efficient use of power and reduces ore consumption; having operations that are well located from a logistical perspective and which provide low cost chrome ore.