Union at Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres mine reaches labour deal to avoid strike

Los Pelambres is the company’s flagship mine. (Image courtesy of Antofagasta plc.)

Supervisors at Antofagasta Plc’s Los Pelambres copper mine in Chile have reached a new contract agreement with the firm that includes wage increases, bonuses and various benefits, the union said late on Thursday, avoiding the risk of a strike.

Two weeks ago, 94% of the union members voted in favor of a walk-off after failing to reach an agreement in the formal negotiation period. Local law requires a five-day government mediation period, which can be extended to 10 days, to find a solution.

“We have improved and strengthened our contract, with more and better benefits, which reflect the value we deliver,” said a press release from the union.

Los Pelambres produced 336,300 tonnes of copper in 2021.

Chile is the largest global producer of the red metal ahead of neighboring Andean country Peru.

(By Natalia Ramos; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

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