Chromium is mined—as its ore “chromite”—in South Africa, Kazakhstan, India, Russia, and Turkey. Almost 90% of chromium is accounted for in the production of steel alloys (including “stainless” steel) or in electroplating. Other uses include in tanning where trivalent chromium salts such as chrome alum cross-link collagen fibers, so stabilizing the leather. Chromite has high heat resistance and is used in high temperature refractory applications such as blast furnaces and cement kilns.