The union has requested a one-time signing bonus equivalent to "1% of dividends paid to the mine's owners".

Company has interrupted production at its Timbopeba mine and part of its Alegria mine after prosecutors ordered the evacuation of an area around the nearby Xingu dam.

A judge ordered the company to work on the safety of the Fernandinho dam or pay a daily fine of $197,667.

Cerrejon, jointly owned by BHP, Anglo American and Glencore, has had repeated disagreements with nearby Wayuu indigenous communities and its largest union, which held a three-month strike last year.

China's appetite for overseas metal seems to be fading, with Yangshan copper import premiums falling to $28.50 a tonne, the lowest since at least 2012.

Bank of America forecasts iron ore will average $172.2 a tonne this year; then $143.8 a tonne in 2022.

Companies are feeling increased pressure from shareholders and institutional investors to prioritize ESG factors.

Chile’s government is confident of paring back a copper tax bill in order to stay competitive with other major producers, the mining minister said.