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Could a union halt production at the world's most significant copper mine?

An effective workers union behind a strike at BHP's big Escondida mine, which produced almost 5% of the world's copper in 2023, is looking to snarl production at the website as it pushes for a larger share of earnings.

The union, which introduced a strike on Tuesday, has paralyzed the world's largest copper mine before and increased global copper costs. This time, much depends on how rapidly negotiations can unlock the standoff.

( Escondida's union) has a history of difficult settlements, with no worry of striking to attain their objectives, said Andres Gonzalez, head of Plusmining consultancy in Santiago.

When the union held a 44-day strike in 2017, international copper prices surged as BHP stated force majeure two days into the strike, meaning it might not satisfy its contracts.

The company likewise needed to declare force majeure in 2006 after a 26-day strike, and in 2011 the union stopped operations for 14 days. The union went on an appetite strike in 2015. A strike was simply prevented in 2021 despite a labor conflict.

3 elements make the union specifically strong, Gonzalez said. The union has about 2,400 members, about 61% of Escondida's workforce. It has strong monetary reserves to take care of workers throughout a strike. And last but not least, Chilean legislation does not let the company change striking workers.

The company will be forced to stop a fundamental part of their operations, which evidently gives (the union) enormous bargaining power, Gonzalez included.

Aside from consisting of a bulk of the overall labor force, the Sindicato Nro. 1 (Union No. 1) comprises 98% of Escondida's. frontline workers that consist of maker operators, motorists,. technicians and upkeep workers - all crucial to keeping up. production.

Patricio Tapia, president of the Escondida union since 2016. and part of the union management because 2008, informed Reuters. formerly that the union has four times more funds than in 2017. as well as credit to fulfill employee requirements throughout the strike.

The 2017 strike ended when the union used local legislation. to freeze the ended contract and then worked out for another. 18 months.

COPPER MARKET CALM FOR NOW

BHP on Tuesday night said the union had declined its. latest invite to reboot talks, although the labor group has. asserted it is willing to resume dialogue.

The company stated its contingency plan requires enabling. non-unionized employees to continue working, which operations. were continuing, although it did not define to what degree.

The (Escondida) union may be little compared to others,. but they're more than 2,000 people that manage the largest. copper mine worldwide, said Gustavo Lagos, an analyst from. Chile's Catholic University mining center.

A smaller strike ongoing at Lundin's Caserones. mine, likewise in Chile, is less most likely to affect production given that. only 30% of employees there remain in the mine's union.

Copper prices have yet to see a huge effect for the present. strike, with experts citing weak need from leading copper. customer China and hopes for a quick resolution. Nevertheless, that. could alter if the strike action hardens.

A key sticking point is a union ask for 1% of the. investor dividends at the mine to be distributed to employees,. which would be around $35,000, according to expert estimates. The union likewise required this in 2021 but was able to reach an. agreement that consisted of a perk of about $23,000 and nearly. $ 4,000 in overtime perks.

BHP has provided workers a perk of $28,900 this time.

(source: Reuters)