NEW YORK — Mark Patell, director of market research and price risk at Xstrata Plc’s zinc division in Canada, will leave the company in the next couple of weeks, a company spokesman told AMM.

Patell has worked in Xstrata Zinc’s Toronto office for 24 years.

"As a result of a recent restructuring within the commercial team, the market research function will now be centralized in Madrid and, unfortunately, Mark will be leaving Xstrata Zinc Canada," the spokesman said.

Patell’s post, which will be absorbed into an existing role in Madrid, is the only position affected, the spokesman said, declining to offer further details.

Patell could not be reached for comment.