Groupe Eramet said first-half net income rose to 421 million euros compared with 271 million euros in the same period a year earlier, an increase of 55 percent.

Current operating profit rose to 769 million euros compared with 581 million euros, up 32 percent.

The group's sales were up 27 percent at 2.321 billion euros, compared with 1.826 billion euros in the first half of 2007.

The mining group said current operating income for the full year should be "significantly higher" than in 2007, excluding the contribution of Tinfos, the Norwegian company it agreed to acquire in April.

"If nickel and manganese prices stay at their current level, the group's current operating income for the second half of 2008 should be higher than for the same period in 2007, excluding the contribution of Tinfos," Eramet added. – Thomson Financial