The strike at Chilean copper mine Dona Ines de Collahuasi entered its 32nd day Monday, and negotiations between management and the union are scheduled to continue later in the day, a company spokeswoman said.

Despite the length of the strike, Collahuasi has been meeting its copper contracts, sending out several shipments to clients in Europe and Asia.

"Talks have been ongoing and will continue [Monday] at 11 a.m. [local time]," Collahuasi spokeswoman Bernardita Fernandez said.

Union leaders weren't immediately available for comment.

A person close to the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly said both sides were close to reaching a deal and ending the strike. He added that an agreement could be reached later Monday or possibly Tuesday.

Collahuasi is controlled by diversified mining companies Xstrata PLC (XTA.LN) and Anglo American PLC (AAUKY, AAL.LN), each holding a 44% stake in the mine. A consortium led by Mitsui & Co. (MITSY, 8031.TO) holds the remaining 12%.

It is one of the world's largest copper mines and is located 185 kilometers southeast of the port of Iquique, high in the Andes mountains at 4,400 meters above sea level.

Collahuasi produces about 500,000 metric tons of copper a year, or about 10% of Chile's annual output. The South American nation produces a third of the world's copper.

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