Swiss miner Xstrata PLC has now taken control of Falconbridge Ltd. announcing Aug. 15 that 257,700,100 common shares have been tendered to Xstrata’s offer, representing 67.8 percent of the company.

Xstrata says it now owns approximately 92.1 percent of the issued and outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis. Payment will be made to shareholders who have tendered their shares on or before Aug. 17.

In line with Xstrata’s intention to acquire 100 percent of Falconbridge as soon as possible, the expiry date of its all-cash offer to enable the remaining Falconbridge shareholders to receive the same $62.50 (CAN) per share has been extended. The offer will now expire at midnight (Vancouver time) on Aug. 25.