The mining sector in the world's top platinum producer has in recent years been laid low by soaring wage and power costs, depressed prices, violent social and labour unrest as well as policy uncertainties.
Jewellers in India had delayed purchases earlier this week and offered gold at a discount anticipating a reduction in the tax in the country's annual budget on Thursday.
The accident at Gualcamayo mine involved two employees of a local contractor traveling in a light truck on an access road at the Las Vacas exploration site.
BHP's Escondida on Wednesday cast doubt on chances of starting talks on a new labor agreement with the company before formal negotiations scheduled for June.
