That is just it:
"What I've learned is that it doesn't matter what your "brand" is right now. In this economic time in the US they are only concerned with what the vendor's price is, and the cheapest price will win MOST of the time."
Noront chromite ore while smaller in quantity, there is more chromium per ton and the ratio of chromium to iron is better, Therefore it is less expensive to process to a desirable/marketable ferrochrome quality so a mine based on that ore is likely to keep producing while others would need to cut back or close during a weak market.

Steel itself is another matter. Thank you Forestmusic for that post.