Inco

Inco mined and refined nickel. The company began in 1902 from the Canadian Copper Company and the Orford refinery, and took the Inco Limited name in 1976. It worked the Sudbury Basin and, from 1961, an integrated nickel complex at Thompson, Manitoba. Nickel was also refined at Port Colborne, Ontario.

By the report years it was the world’s leading nickel producer. Sudbury and Thompson nickel went mostly abroad and held up two northern mining cities. A 1916 order that barred nickel exports outside the Empire is what pushed refining into Canada.

Why it mattered

Sudbury and Thompson nickel supplied Canadian and export markets and anchored two northern mining cities. A 1916 order-in-council that barred nickel exports outside the British Empire pushed refining into Canada (Port Colborne). Domestic output was a large share of Canada’s non-fuel mineral production and was mostly sold abroad.

Now

CVRD, now Vale, bought Inco in October 2006. The Canadian operations became Vale Canada. Sudbury mines, mill, smelter and refinery still run under Vale.

Sold (2006) · Now: Vale Canada Limited / Vale Base Metals