Brussels, 05/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - After obtaining a number of commitments, the Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition by Canadian company Inco of Falconbridge, also active in mining, particularly of nickel. The transaction would have led to a substantial impediment of effective competition on certain nickel and cobalt markets in the European Economic Area (EEA). The parties, however, agreed to divest Falconbridge's sole nickel refinery and related assets and sell them to LionOre, an international mining company. The Commission investigation showed that the transaction, as initially notified, would have removed the only other competitor on the markets for the supply of nickel to the plating and electroforming industry, and for the supply of high purity cobalt for the production of super alloys, thereby limiting customers' choice and leading to increased prices. The parties agreed to divest the Falconbridge refinery in Norway and related assets, thus assuaging the Commission's concerns.