BHP's other mines face shutdown threats as Spence strike drags on
After 39 days of stoppages Chile's Federation of Miners threatened to halt output at other mines owned by the company, including the world's largest copper mine, Escondida
Posted: Friday , 20 Nov 2009
SANTIAGO (Reuters) -
mineweb.com
Chile's Federation of Miners on Friday threatened to halt output at mines owned by BHP Billiton (BHP.AX:Quote) (BLT.L: Quote) in the South American country to back strikers at the company's Spence copper mine after 39 days of stoppage.
Such a move by the federation, which comprises around 5,000 workers across the country, including workers at BHP copper mines like Escondida, the world's biggest, could disrupt global supply of the red metal and so help boost prices.
"We are going to deliver BHP an ultimatum for them to resume negotiations with (Spence) workers. If the company doesn't comply, then they will have to brace themselves for the consequences," said Miguel Barraza, a board member of the federation.
"We could halt output at their mines, block roads. We have many options"
BHP holds three mines in Chile including Spence, which between them produced around 1.5 million tonnes of copper in 2008.
Spence union workers walked off the job on Oct. 13 over a wage disagreement.
BHP shut down the Spence mine after workers invaded installations, accusing the miners of sabotage and of seizing pumps that circulate sulfuric acid used for the leaching of the ore.
A BHP spokesman in Santiago said the talks with Spence union workers will only restart if workers leave the mine's industrial area, where production machinery is maintained. (Reporting by Alonso Soto; Editing by Simon Gardner and Marguerita Choy) |
