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Chile: Strike closes world's top copper mine | Chile: Strike closes world's top copper mine |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Some 2,500 workers at the world's biggest copper mine, in northern Chile, have begun an unannounced strike over pay and other demands. | Some 2,500 workers at the world's biggest copper mine, in northern Chile, have begun an unannounced strike over pay and other demands. |
The strike at the Escondida mine was initially planned to last 24 hours, union leader Marcelo Tapia said. | The strike at the Escondida mine was initially planned to last 24 hours, union leader Marcelo Tapia said. |
But the movement's leader will meet again to assess whether to extend it. | But the movement's leader will meet again to assess whether to extend it. |
Chile produces a third of the world's copper, a metal widely used in alloys and electric cables. | Chile produces a third of the world's copper, a metal widely used in alloys and electric cables. |
Workers are demanding better pay, an annual bonus and improved working conditions. | Workers are demanding better pay, an annual bonus and improved working conditions. |
Presidential vote | Presidential vote |
"All operations have been halted. It is due to a variety of issues that the company has not been responding to," Mr Tapia told Reuters. | "All operations have been halted. It is due to a variety of issues that the company has not been responding to," Mr Tapia told Reuters. |
Workers at two other Chilean mines controlled by international company BHP Billiton - Spencer and Cerro Colorado - have also joined the stoppage, Mr Tapia said. | Workers at two other Chilean mines controlled by international company BHP Billiton - Spencer and Cerro Colorado - have also joined the stoppage, Mr Tapia said. |
BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, which owns 30% of the mine, have not commented on the industrial action. | BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, which owns 30% of the mine, have not commented on the industrial action. |
The Escondida mine, in the Atacama desert, produces more than a million tonnes of copper per year. That amounts roughly to 20% of the Chilean output. | The Escondida mine, in the Atacama desert, produces more than a million tonnes of copper per year. That amounts roughly to 20% of the Chilean output. |
The last strike at the Escondida mine, in July 2011, lasted two weeks and pushed up international copper prices. | The last strike at the Escondida mine, in July 2011, lasted two weeks and pushed up international copper prices. |
Mining plays a key role in the Chilean economy. The country goes to the polls in November to choose a new president, and miners will be keen to put their demands across. |