The first shipment of nickel concentrate to be processed into matte at Copper Cliff Smelter Complex since a strike by Steelworkers began seven months ago is on its way to Vale Inco’s refinery in Clydach, Wales. Six or seven truckloads of matte left Sudbury on 4 February 2010 to be processed into high-quality nickel at the Welsh refinery. More than 3,000 members of USW Local 6500 in Sudbury and 130 with Port Colborne’s Local 6200 have been on strike since July. Another 200 or so Steelworkers at Vale Inco Newfoundland and Labrador have been on strike since August in a separate labour dispute. After months of preparation, the Sudbury smelter began operating last week due to the efforts of management, nonunion staff, unionized office and technical workers and outside contractors. This is the first time in the more than 100yr history of the nickel company that production has resumed during a strike or lockout.