Filed at 11:17 a.m. ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Mining group Xstrata <XTA.L>, which recently scrapped an attempt to merge with rival Anglo American <AAL.L> to cap a series of takeovers made in recent years, now plans to shift its expansion focus to developing new mines, it said on Tuesday.

The Anglo-Swiss group also unveiled $2.45 billion (1.5 billion pounds) in charges for restructuring its nickel business after metal prices fell and for underperforming copper smeltering operations in Canada and Chile.

On October 15 Xstrata dropped its merger of equals plan for Anglo that would have created a group with a market value of $96 billion after refusing demands from Anglo shareholders that it pay a premium.

Investors have been speculating whether Xstrata would revive its merger efforts with Anglo after six months, when it is allowed to re-engage under UK takeover rules.

"I think the important thing is you don't need to find a transforming transaction," Chief Executive Mick Davis told reporters following a presentation, when asked if he would make a fresh approach for Anglo.

"Anglo was an opportunity ... It seemed to me a very smart transaction for both our shareholders and their shareholders ... I think it's a lost opportunity for value."

He said Xstrata would now concentrate on plans to boost overall production volumes by 50 percent by 2013.

"For us, transformation is going to come from our projects, that's where our key thrust is."

Takeovers that delivered value were becoming increasingly difficult to find, so shareholders should "not hold their breath" waiting for more big takeovers, he told the presentation.

Davis said Xstrata still wanted to expand its platinum exposure but he declined to say whether that could be through a full takeover of Lonmin <LMI.L>, in which Xstrata holds a 25 percent stake.

Xstrata scrapped a $10 billion cash bid for Lonmin <LONJ.J>, the world's third biggest platinum producer, in October 2008 due to the global downturn.

"We still want to grow our PGM (platinum group metal) business but we have to work out the best way of doing it. Clearly Lonmin is a consideration in that and at an appropriate time we will see what we do with it," Davis said.

Xstrata said last week it planned to boost capital spending next year by 89 percent to $6.8 billion, with most spending going to the copper, coal and nickel divisions.

DOUBLE OUTPUT BY 2013

The group's coal production had the potential to nearly double by 2015, Peter Freyberg, chief executive of the coal unit told the presentation.

Xstrata said it was taking a $1.9 billion charge for restructuring its nickel business, including various closures and delays in projects as the nickel market was hit by the global downturn and weak prices.

"The impairments announced today reflect the structural changes made to our nickel business during 2009, together with the very significant impact of short and medium term currency movements, which have resulted in an exceptional impairment charge against Xstrata's nickel assets," Davis said.

The price of nickel has rebounded this year by 75 percent to around $15,700 per tonne, but is still a fraction of its 2007 peak of $51,650.

Xstrata has closed its high-cost mines in Sudbury, Canada, and suspended operations at Falcondo in the Dominican Republic and Montcalm in Canada.

Xstrata decided to permanently shut its Kidd copper and zinc metallurgical plant in Canada after warning last week that it was considering closing or selling some of its four copper smelters.

The Anglo-Swiss group, which will take a charge of $375 million for the closure, said it was facing global overcapacity in copper smelting and record low treatment and refining charges. The Kidd mine and concentrator will continue to operate, it added.

It also took a charge of $170 million for its Altonorte copper smelter in northern Chile.

(Editing by Greg Mahlich)