:: Sakura Poised to Produce Silico Manganese

Sakura Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd, a tripartite joint venture of South African, Japanese and Taiwanese firms, will go into the production of silico manganese at its smelting plant in Samalaju Industrial Park, Bintulu after it successfully commenced production of high carbon ferro manganese about two months ago.

The US$328mil plant’s first metal tap occurred in May upon successful hot commissioned of the first of its two 81MVA furnaces, according to South Africa’s Assmang Proprietiary Ltd.

Assmang is the controlling shareholder in Sakura Ferroalloys, with an equity interest of 54.36%. The other shareholders are Japan’s Sumitomo Corp (24.64% stake) and Taiwan’s China Steel Corp (19%).

The first shipment of Sakura’s high carbo ferro manganese to overseas buyer was made last month. China Steel is one of the offtakers of the plant’s output.

"The plant’s second furnace will be hot-commissioned in the third quarter of 2016, and will initially produce high carbon ferro manganese and then be switched to produce silico manganese."