Worlds largest copper mine faces strike threat

Sunday, August 6th 2006

Workers at the world’s biggest copper mine in Chile threatened to go on strike next week after the collapse of salary negotiations.

The work stoppage at Minera Escondida, which is controlled by Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton, will start Monday if management fails to make a new offer to the miners, said the union representing 2,000 workers.

“If the company’s new offer is not close to our demands, we will not accept it,” said union leader Pedro Marin. “We have made our decision with the complete support of our base.”

The mine’s spokesman, Mauro Valdes, said the company was willing to reach an agreement that is “responsible for both sides.”

In its last offer Wednesday, the company proposed a three percent salary increase and a 15,000 dollar bonus to each miner, but the union rejected it as an “insult.”

The miners are asking for a 13-percent salary increase and a 30,000 dollar bonus, as the price of copper has nearly quadrupled over the last three years.

Mina Escondida, located in the Atacama desert in northern Chile, produces eight percent of the world’s copper.

Its main customers are Japan, Germany, Canada, China, Sweden, Brazil,
South Korea and France. –(AFP)