China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region-based Erdos EJM Manganese Alloys Co. - the joint venture between China's Erdos Electrical Power & Metallurgical Co. Ltd (Erdos EPM) and Japan's JFE Holdings Inc. and Mitsiu Co. Ltd - is to build a second plant to double its silicomanganese production capacity from the current 75,000 mt to 150,000 mt by the end of 2008.
JFE Holdings Inc. and Mitsui own 24.5 percent each in Erdos EJM, while Erdos EPM holds the remaining 51 percent.
With this investment, the joint venture is planning to become China's largest silicomanganese producer.