China Daily reported that Xstrata, the global diversified mining group and the world's largest coal exporter, has opened its first office on the Chinese mainland in Shanghai.

Mr Rod Sutton GM of the office, which is under the name Xstrata Commercial Services (Shanghai) Co, said that "Establishing a permanent presence in Shanghai will better enable us to source high-quality mining equipment from China and other Asian countries for our coal, copper and nickel businesses around the world."

Mr Sutton said that China has been an important market for Xstrata, with copper sales in China taking up a third of its global sales. He added that "We are currently expanding a number of our existing mines around the world, as well as making major investments in new mines, some of them particularly designed for the Chinese market."

Xstrata has been cooperating with about 40 Chinese suppliers on its procurement of materials and Mr Sutton said the number will definitely grow with the opening of the new office, especially on its coal processing activities.

Source - China Daily

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