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.
Miner has spent $2 million to lock in the option to sell 120,000 ounces of future output at $1,320 an ounce, as it waits for Tanzania exports ban to end.
DRC stuns miners with immediate lifting of 10-year exemption for licensees, 50% tax on 'super-profits' and code permitting 5-fold increase in cobalt royalty.
