41.   Canadian producers exported fewer forestry and agricultural products, but increased exports were reported in the industrial goods and energy products sectors.

42.   Dealers were awaiting developments in the labour dispute at Canadian producer Cominco, where talks were due to be resumed on Wednesday.

43.   The price of nickel was also underpinned by an explosion at an Indonesian plant owned by Canadian producer Inco.

44.   Zinc and lead were both steady against the general trend on continuing concern about possible strike action at Canadian producer Cominco.

45.   Market sentiment was also encouraged by the announcement by Canadian producer Inco that it was shutting down a production unit in Indonesia for two months for repair works.

46.   Market sentiment continued to be underpinned by ongoing labour talks at the Canadian producer Cominco.

47.   Nickel cut its losses somewhat towards the end of the week, on speculation that union negotiations at the Canadian producer Falconbridge might end in a strike.

48.   Selling was also encouraged by news that workers at the Canadian producer Cominco had accepted a new labour contract.

49.   Speculators had imagined that a stoppage at the Canadian producer would immediately translate into supply shortages.

50.   The announcement of a deal between workers and management at Canadian producer Cominco, ending the threat of a strike, may also have weighed on prices.