Talks between Xstrata (XTA.L) and workers at its main Canadian mining operation appear to go down to the wire ahead of Sunday's strike deadline.

The press release is quoted as saying:

A walkout at the nickel operations in Sudbury, Ontario, would likely give a boost to nickel prices, while a deal ahead of the deadline is expected by some to help facilitate the resolution of a strike at cross-town rival Vale (VALE5.SA) that is now in its seventh month. Unionized workers — represented by the Canadian Auto Workers — voted two weeks ago to give the union a strike mandate if a deal was not reached.

Click here to access the entire press release ^[1]