UPDATE: Strike Limits Operations At Chile Collahuasi Mine
May 10 2010 - 11:17AM
Dow Jones News
Copper mining operations at Chile's Collahuasi mine remain
"restricted" due to a contract workers strike, a company
spokeswoman said Monday.
On Friday, several thousand contract workers from various mining
services providers went on strike, barricading the main access to
the mining compound.
Collahuasi, one of the largest copper mines in northern Chile,
is located at about 4,500 meters above sea level in the Andes
mountains.
On Saturday, Collahuasi suspended operations at the site to
ensure the safely of its staff and contractors, a spokeswoman for
one of the miner's shareholders said.
The contract workers are demanding improved working conditions
in line with the accommodations and benefits that Collahuasi staff
workers receive, and are asking for a 1 million peso
end-of-conflict payment ($1,898) to end their strike.
Staff workers, meanwhile, haven't been able to leave the mining
compound and some fear for their safety, especially in light of the
high altitude at which the mine is located, union leader Juan
Barraza told Dow Jones Newswires.
The mining company is calling on striking workers to end their
walkout and allow staff workers to freely move in and out of the
mining compound.
"We call for rationality so as to allow our people to freely
circulate, as per their request, as they're being held against
their will and without enough food," Collahuasi said in a statement
late Sunday.
Overnight, the mining company and representatives for the
contractors began conversations, which lasted until early Monday
morning. Talks should resume later Monday, a spokeswoman for
Xstrata PLC (XTA.LN) said.
Operations at the mine are expected to restart in the next 24
hours, she added.
Collahuasi produces about 500,000 tons of copper a year, or
about 10% of Chile's output.
Diversified mining companies Xstrata PLC and Anglo American PLC
(AAL.LN, AAUKY) each own a 44% stake in the mine, with the rest
held by a consortium led by Mitsui & Co. (MITSY, 8031.TO).
-By Carolina Pica, Dow Jones Newswires; 56-2-715-8919;
carolina.pica@dowjones.com
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