Glencore said in a statement that Beijing had given its backing on condition that after the merger the group sells its interest in the Las Bambas copper mine project in Peru to Chinese-approved players by the end of September 2014.
In addition, China set supply conditions on the future minerals and mining powerhouse, which will rival top global commodities companies such as BHP Billiton, Vale and Rio Tinto.
"For a period of eight years from January 1st 2013, Glencore will continue to offer to supply Chinese customers with a minimum volume of copper concentrate annually under long-term contracts," it said.
Similar conditions were set for the zinc and lead markets.
Glencore also announced that the current chief executive of Swiss-based Xstrata, Mick Davis, had agreed not to take up the same role in the merged group.
Davis initially had been due to take the helm of the combined operation for six months, but Glencore's chief executive Ivan Glasenberg is to assume that role instead.
Chinese approval was the last step required for the merger to go ahead, with the European Commission as well as South African competition authorities already having given approval.
Glencore and Xstrata's shareholders voted in favour of the merger last November, with a view to sealing the deal by the end of 2012.
That target was pushed back to March 15, before again being shifted to April 16th due to delays in China's regulatory approval.
GLENCORE
Final hurdle cleared for Xstrata-Glencore merger
A long-awaited merger between Swiss commodities trader Glencore with mining giant Xstrata has won a green light from China's regulator, clearing a key final hurdle, Glencore announced on Tuesday.
GLENCORE
At least 19 illegal miners killed at subsidiary of Swiss-based Glencore
At least 19 illegal miners were killed on Thursday after part of a copper mine collapsed in southeastern DR Congo, Swiss-based mining giant Glencore said.
The incident happened when two galleries caved in at a mine in the Kolwezi area operated by Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a subsidiary of Glencore.
“Tragically there were 19 fatalities today, with possible further unconfirmed fatalities,” Glencore said in a statement, which said there had been recurrent problems with illicit mining on its concessions.
Other reports suggest the death toll could be higher.
The Congolese site Actualite.CD reported at least 36 deaths.
“The illegal artisanal miners were working two galleries in benches overlooking the extraction area. Two of these galleries caved in,” the company said.
Glencore said KCC had observed a “growing presence” of illegal miners, with on average 2,000 people a day intruding on its operating sites.
“KCC urges all illegal miners to cease from putting their lives at risk by trespassing on a major industrial site,” Glencore said.
Illegal mining is common and frequently deadly in Democratic Republic of Congo, where safety is often poor and risk-taking high.
Figures indicating the scale of the problem are sketchy, given that many mines are illegal and remote.
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