Chromite is the only source of chromium for metal alloys and chemicals. It is also itself used in refractories and foundry sand. Chromite is accompanied by various amounts of silicate gangue minerals and is generally beneficiated. Compositions vary widely, from 22% to 58% Cr2O3, with the important Cr:Fe ratio varying from 1.5 to 4. Alumina, magnesia and iron oxide are other components. Silica content ranges from 0.5% to 22%. High silica chromites are acceptable for some uses if the chromite is a hard, lump-type and the rest of the chemistry - Cr2O3 content and Cr:Fe ratio - is favorable. The US has no commercial chromite deposits. It has been 100% importdependent for many years. World production of chromite in 1992 (latest available data) was about 9.8 kt (10,900 st), a 19% decrease over that of 1991. The decline in demand for chromite ore in 1992 resulted from reduced demand for chromium in the former Soviet Union. Production in 1993 was expected to be less than that of 1992. This was due to the reduced demand for chromium from the metallurgical industry of the former Soviet Union and integration of that region's resources into the world economy in 1993. US chromite ore supply in 1993 was about 300.6 kt (331,350 st). (Supply is imports for consumption, 254.8 kt or 280,800 st, plus stock decrease, 45.8 kt or 50,480 st). About 6.8% of the domestic supply was consumed by the refractory industry, the remainder by the chemical and metallurgical industry.