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Employees strike at world's biggest copper mine in blow to BHP

Workers at BHP's. Escondida mine in Chile began a strike Tuesday morning after pay. negotiations with management broke down, setting the phase for a. possible hit to production at the world's most significant copper mine.

The workers' union stated early on Tuesday a strike was set to. start at 8 a.m. regional time (1200 GMT), after little development was. made during 5 days of government mediated talks.

We made every responsible effort to reach an arrangement, however. that wasn't possible, said the union, which represents about. 2,400 people.

BHP said it had triggered a contingency plan to manage the. strike, and that it had not prepared for a brand-new set of needs. from the union on the final day of talks.

The company created four proposals responding to each of. the points raised by the union, who on the last day of mediation. provided new requirements, it stated in a declaration.

The business has explained its employees' agreement as one of. the very best in the market.

Union President Patricio Tapia previously told Reuters that. if union members were to strike, BHP would not have the ability to. produce copper given that replacement workers are forbidden by law. and the union represents 98.5% of frontline functional employees. at Escondida.

Workers at Escondida last went out in 2017, prompting a. 44-day strike that severely affected BHP's production and pressed. up copper costs on the global market.

BHP, among the world's most significant miners, owns more than half. of Escondida, located about 130 km (80 miles) southeast of the. northern city of Antofagasta, along with Rio Tinto and. JECO Corp.

. Escondida produced 1.1 million metric lots of copper in. 2023.

Employees at Escondida have actually required 1% of investor. dividends to be distributed equally among them, citing beneficial. present and predicted prices of copper, a metal expected to be. in even higher demand for the global energy shift and. expert system applications.

The union's proposition included a request for a reward of about. $ 28,900 per worker.

(source: Reuters)