* Q1 sales rise 23 percent to 973 million eur
* Sees "favourable outlook" for H1
(Adds detail, comments from statement)
PARIS, April 28 (Reuters) - French mining and metals group Eramet said on Thursday it expects operating profit to be at least stable in the first half as it reported a 23 percent rise in first-quarter sales.
The company cited a "favourable outlook" for the first half, with healthy growth in alloys markets and rising global steel output, the main outlet for Eramet's nickel and manganese ore.
"Excluding exceptional factors, the Eramet group's current operating income for the first half of 2011 should be at least equivalent to the amount posted for the first half of 2010," the company said in a statement.
Group first-quarter sales reached 973 million euros ($1.43 billion), with manganese sales up 14 percent year-on-year at 467 million, nickel up 35 percent at 271 million and alloys up 30 percent at 237 million.
Eramet's external shipments of manganese ore and sinter rose 10 percent, compared with a 5 percent rise in its production.
In the second quarter, its production should increase slightly versus the first quarter, it said, adding that signs of supply outstripping demand in the manganese market could lead to price adjustments.
It also foresaw a slight second-quarter increase in its nickel output versus the prior quarter, when its metallurgical nickel production in New Caledonia was close to 13,000 tonnes.
Nickel supply was expected to remain below demand on the global market in the first half, it said, citing commissioning and ramp-up delays affecting several projects.
The alloys division, which was slower to recover last year from an industrial downturn and which was the subject of a restructuring plan, benefited in the first quarter from strong volume growth and the passing on of raw material costs.
"A faster pace of growth can be observed in the aerospace sector, in particular," Eramet said.
Shares in Eramet were little changed at 269.55 euros by 0748 GMT. They are up 5 percent this year. ($1=.6817 Euro) (Reporting by Gus Trompiz; Editing by James Regan)