It is reported that the Sichuan Tianyi Metallurgy Group has commenced construction on the first stage of its 200 000 tonne per year ferrochrome project in Qinghai province.

Sichuan said that the CNY 700 (USD 101 million) project includes eight 12 500 kVA submerged arc furnaces to produce 200 000 tonne per year ferrochrome. It said that by the end of 2008 two furnaces with a capacity of over 30 000 tonne per year will be commissioned.

Sichuan said that the project should be complete by about August 2009.