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Workers to strike at world's largest copper mine in Chile / Photo: Emiliano GUZMAN - AFP
Workers to strike at world's largest copper mine in Chile
Workers at the world's largest copper mine in Chile will go on strike on Wednesday after pay talks with Australian mining giant BHP fell apart, the union said.
The Escondida mine in northern Chile yearly digs up around five percent of the world's copper, which is essential for the energy transition, artificial intelligence and defense.
Around 1,000 mine supervisors agreed to launch the protest after government-mediated talks between BHP and the union fell apart.
The union accused BHP of breaking off negotiations after making a "poor offer" to employees.
"The responsibility for this strike lies solely with the company and its negotiating committee," it said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the supervisors, BHP's latest offer failed to include demands including pay raises and monthly production bonuses.
BHP declined to comment.
It was unclear whether the strike would halt production, but a union representing mine operators warned that its members would stop work if minimum safety conditions were not met.
Chile, which is responsible for nearly a quarter of global copper output, saw production fall to its lowest level in 15 years in August due to storms and operational problems.
A prolonged disruption at Escondida could lead to a further decline in Chile's copper output.
In 2017, workers at Escondida went on a 44-day strike -- the longest in Chile's mining history.
D.Cameron--SMC
