BY JASON THOMPSON
On the heels of a mining merger that garnered international headlines, Inco?s president of North American and European operations Marc Cutifani, addressed city council Thursday, affirming Inco?s commitment to Greater Sudbury.
When the takeover was announced, Inco officials boasted about the synergy that could be achieved as a result of the merger, having already identified a $350 million (US) in savings.
Critics of the deal, including Nickel Belt MPP Shelly Martel, argued that this synergy and increased efficiency would be ultimately achieved by slashing human resources.
During last night?s meeting Ward 6 councillor Janet Gasparini expressed similar concerns over potential job losses.
Cutifani stated that Inco did not see the connection between the synergy and jobs, suggesting critics should focus instead on the long-term impact of the merger.
?The synergies in Sudbury offer a medium and longer-term opportunities for increased employment and investment,? Cutifani said.
?They (synergies) are about maximizing available processing capability, some of which is currently underutilized, and effectively matching Falconbridge processing facilities with the development of Inco mine feed sources.?
Although Inco hasn?t opened a new mine in Sudbury in more than 30 years, citing operational and capital costs to be the biggest stumbling block, Cutifani said if Inco continued its progress in cost cutting, the investment of a new mine would one day become a possibility.
?We believe as we move forward collectively, there is the potential to push synergies beyond the $350 million (US) a year level,? Cutifani said.
