Xstrata will temporarily suspend its copper operations at the Kidd Metallurgical Site in Canada next month because of a shortage of third-party copper concentrate.

The site’s copper smelter and refinery will be closed for a period of seven to ten weeks from 7 September, the company said.

The closure will result in some temporary lay-offs, Xstrata said.

In addition to reduced shipments from regular suppliers, concentrate availability has also been hit by the ongoing strike at Vale Inco’s Sudbury operations, Kidd general manager Thompson Hickey said.

“We will make all possible efforts to support our employees through this period and we hope to be in a position to return to normal operations at the site as soon as possible,” Hickey said.