Reuters reported that Xstrata and the union representing striking workers at the Kidd metallurgical operations in Canada will restart talks in the hopes of resolving a walkout that began over a month ago.

Mr Hemi Mitic assistant to the president of the Canadian Auto Workers union said that "We are going back to the table today, and I don't know where it will lead us. But hopefully we can find a settlement in the next day or two."

It may be noted that about 600 workers walked off the job on October 1st 2008 after contract talks broke down over wages and contract language.

The Kidd operation, which Xstrata acquired through its takeover of Falconbridge in 2006, consists of a concentrator, refinery, and copper and zinc smelters in northern Ontario. It produces about 1 percent of the world's copper and zinc, as well as more than half a million tonnes of sulphuric acid.