XSTRATA pic has suspended output at its Falcondo nickel mining and processing facility in the Dominican Republic, after falling nickel prices exacerbated by rising oil costs, rendered the mine unprofitable. The Falcondo plant, which produces 29,000t/y of nickel, or 2 percent percent of world supply, may be closed for four months, Xstrata warned. "The resumption of activities will be assessed based on market conditions, which are expected to improve towards the end of 2008,"said Ian Pearce, chief executive of Xstrata's nickel unit.
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