The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, which is one of the most important metal lobbying bodies in the entire industry, has given its approval for the proposed merger between global commodities trader Glencore International and copper miner Xstrata PLC.

The endorsement will likely lead to others following suit in their approval, with Jia Mingxing, deputy chairman of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, commenting “The merger would be beneficial for the industry.”

The two companies are currently thrashing out the final details on what is believed to be a bumper $80 billion dollar merger.