Xstrata-Glencore merger prompts name change

One of Sudburys major mining companies is going through another rebranding exercise.

Xstrata Nickel operations in Sudbury formerly known as Falconbridge Ltd. before it was bought by Xstrata in 2006 will now go by the name Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations, or Sudbury I-N-O.

The name change comes as a result of Xstrata's merger with anotherSwiss mining company Glencore.

The vice president of Sudbury I-N-O said the takeover means more independence for local operations.

"The interesting thing about Glencore is that it really relies on its local management to develop the business opportunities,[and that's reflected]in the naming nomenclature," Marc Boissonneault said.

The company's short-term plans include revitalizing its Fraser Operations near Onaping and to work on a joint project with Vale.

Future rebranding will continue to take place for the next few months, Boissonneault added.

"Youll see our signs change in coming weeks, those are the more visible ones. Other things will just take weeks and, in some cases, maybe a couple of months."

The merger between the two companies has been going smoothly, Boissonneault said.