The divestment didn't come as a surprise since Xstrata had until then been focusing on nickel production.

FORBES: Magazine Article

This week, Xstrata, another big mining firm, suspended operations at a nickel mine in the Dominican Republic while converting its power supply to run on coal, rather than more expensive oil.

ECONOMIST: Commodities 1

Glencore and Xstrata, the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal which also produces copper, nickel and zinc, agreed last year on a merger that would create an industry giant.

NPR: Glencore Sees Sharp Fall In 2012 Earnings