The Finnish group METSO (Euro 3.4 bil turnover in 1999, workforce of 23,000) has launched a Euro 1.1 bil for Sweden's SVEDALA (annual turnover of Euro 1.6 bil, workforce of 11,000). METSO plans to combine SVEDALA with its subsidiary NORDBERG to create the world's number one mining company. METSO has bid 185 Swedish crowns per share.