The powerful union at Escondida in Chile set to vote on BHP's contract offer between Thursday and Saturday - leaders are urging a strike.

Experts say large brownfield and greenfield projects close to being commissioned or are already ramping up will hit copper prices.

Prices snapped a five-session winning streak under pressure from a rebounding dollar as investor focus shifted to a US Federal Reserve meeting.

Negotiations over the past two months between the company and its powerful workers' union over a new labor contract have been conducted in utmost secrecy.

Residents of three communities in the Chumbivilcas province of the Andean region of Cusco began the blockade on July 23.

Iron ore prices have suffered their worst week for nearly 18 months.

While producer profits are booming thanks to high prices fueled by the pandemic recovery, their operations are paying the price of covid-fighting measures.