It is reported that Brazilian antitrust watchdog, Cade, said on Wednesday that it had approved the acquisition of Canadian nickel miner Inco by the local Companhia Vale do Rio Doce.

The spokesman for Cade said the decision was unanimous. The approval was widely expected by the market.

CVRD announced it would buy Inco in October of 2006 for around USD 17 billion, making it the second biggest integrated miner in the world.