Xstrata Kidd smelter workers strike as talks fail

TORONTO, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Unionized workers at Xstrata's (XTA.L) Kidd metallurgical operations in Canada went on strike early on Wednesday after talks with the company failed to produce a contract agreement ahead of a midnight deadline.

"We're out officially right now," said Hemi Mitic, assistant to the president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, which represents the 600 workers at the site in northern Ontario.

Wage hikes and contract language were the main sticking points, he added.

The Kidd metallurgical operations consist of copper and zinc smelters, a concentrator, and a mill. They annually produce about 6,500 tonnes of copper anode, 125,000 tonnes of copper cathode, 140,000 tonnes of zinc and 540,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid.

Xstrata acquired the Kidd operations when it took over Falconbridge in 2006. (Reporting by Cameron French; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)