Xstrata third quarter results showed that total nickel production for the third quarter of 2012 was in line with the prior period. The total nickel production for the first nine months of the year increased by 2% to 79,474 tonnes compared to the same period last year, driven by a 16% increase in nickel in ferronickel production from Falcondo following the restart of mining activities in February 2011 to 50% of installed capacity.
Mined mcx nickel production from Integrated MCX Nickel Operations (INO) during the third quarter was lower compared to the previous year, primarily due to the winding down of mining activities at Xstrata Nickel Australasia's Cosmos mine following our decision during the quarter to initiate a care and maintenance schedule in response to adverse market conditions. In Sudbury, mined nickel and copper production were both lower due to a planned 16-day electrical maintenance shutdown. Current run-rates at Sudbury mines indicate a strong fourth quarter.
Despite the reduction in mined output, nickel in matte production from the Sudbury smelter increased 11% in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year. This increase was achieved by drawing down existing feed inventory, and acquiring and processing additional third party feed. Copper in matte production from the smelter increased by 2%. Refined nickel production from Nikkel verk refinery in Norway remained in line with its nameplate capacity of 92,000 tonnes per year.
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