It is reported that Eramet is planning to increase production of manganese ore from its mine in Gabon to fuel expected growth in global steel output.

Mr Patrick Buffet CEO of Eramet while speaking to a gathering of investors and analysts said that Eramet was exploring the possibility of producing more than 4 million tonnes of the metal going forward given the outlook for tight global supplies. He added that "We are studying the possibility of going above the 3.5 million tonnes we are even thinking of exceeding four million tonnes.”

It had previously stated that it would produce 3.5 million tonnes in 2008.

Last year, Eramet produced 3.3 million tonnes of manganese ore at its Gabon site.

Credit Suisse in a research note said that manganese ore had been selling for as much as USD 12 dry metric tonnes per unit on the spot market, nearly 180% above the average actual 2007 price of USD 3.54 dry metric tonnes per unit.