Operations Limited At Chile Collahuasi Copper Mine On Strike

Operations at Chilean copper mine Collahuasi remain "restricted" as striking contract workers continue to block the access to the mining compound, a company spokeswoman said Sunday.

On Friday, some 3,000 contract workers went on strike, protesting better working conditions and improved salaries and bonuses. They demand one-time bonus of 1 million pesos ($1,876) to end their strike.

Police were called in to break up the protests, spraying strikers with tear gas, union leader Pedro Marin, of the Mining Federation umbrella union group told Dow Jones.

Over a dozen strikers were arrested but most have returned to the mine site, located some 4,500 meters above sea level, to continue with their blockade.

Collahuasi staff workers, meanwhile, are on site and haven't been able to leave or take on new shifts due to the barricade, union leader Juan Barraza told Dow Jones Newswires.

"We are concerned for our safety. We feel like refugees inside the mine compound," Barraza said. He noted that strikers, who work for several different contracting companies, and the mining company could begin talks later Sunday.

Collahuasi produces about 500,000 tons of copper a year, or about 10% of Chile's output.

Diversified mining companies Xstrata plc (XTA.LN) and Anglo American plc (AAUK) each own a 44% stake in the mine, with the rest held by Mitsui & Co. Ltd. (MITSY).

-By Carolina Pica, Dow Jones Newswires; 56-2-715-8919; carolina.pica@dowjones.com

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