TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Representatives of the United Steelworkers (USW) and Brazilian-owned nickel-miner Vale Inco are expected to meet in Toronto this weekend for “exploratory talks”.

More than 3 000 USW members employed at Vale Inco's operations in Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ontario, have been on strike since July 13, 2009, after they were unable to reach agreement on a new contract.

There have been no formal talks since then.

The lead negotiators for the two parties – USW district six director Wayne Fraser and Vale Inco negotiator Harvey Beresford – agreed to jointly request the assistance of veteran mediator Kevin Burkett, who has invited both sides to talks in Toronto this weekend, the union said.

The union, company and mediator have agreed to a “complete media blackout” on the talks until further notice, the USW said.

Vale Inco spokesperson Cory McPhee confirmed on Thursday evening that meetings have been scheduled, but declined to comment further because of the media blackout.

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