Teck Cominco, the Vancouver-based zinc and coal miner, on Monday unveiled a surprise C$17.8bn ($16bn, £8.6bn, €12.6bn) cash and shares bid for Inco, the western world’s biggest nickel producer.

Teck’s offer could spark a flurry of interest not only in Inco, but also in Falconbridge, another big Canadian nickel miner. Inco is currently seeking US and European regulatory approval for a proposed acquisition of Falconbridge.