Strike at Caserones Copper Mine Enters Second Week with No Resolution in Sight

The union is demanding a $24.5 million bonus, along with a 2.7% salary increase and full payment for the month despite the strike days.

The strike at the Caserones copper mine has entered its second week with no signs of resolution, according to the union president who spoke to Reuters on Monday. The work stoppage, which began after negotiations for a new collective agreement failed, involves around 300 workers, representing approximately 30% of the total workforce at the mine, which is operated by Canadian company Lundin Mining.

The labor dispute started last Monday when workers rejected the company's final offer of an $18.5 million bonus. The union is demanding a $24.5 million bonus, along with a 2.7% salary increase and full payment for the month despite the strike days. Workers also objected to the condition that the payments were contingent on staying with the company for the full 36 months of the contract.

Marco García, the union president, reported that since the last meeting at the Regional Labor Directorate in Copiapó last Wednesday, there has been no further communication with the company. "We hope to make contact this week, as the mine's productivity is becoming problematic; they are operating at less than 50% capacity, which obviously poses challenges for them and their controllers," García said.

Impact on Production and Escalating Tensions at the Site

The Caserones mine, located in the Andes Mountains about 160 kilometers from Copiapó at an altitude of 4,600 meters above sea level, has historically faced challenges related to production, environmental issues, and relations with neighboring communities. Despite recent adverse weather conditions, including rain and snow around the mine, workers have expressed their determination to extend the conflict, even beyond 40 days if necessary.

In recent days, the strike at Caserones has been marked by blockades at the mine's only access road, exacerbating tensions. While the mining industry's attention was recently focused on the strike at the Escondida mine, which ended when the controlling company BHP agreed to pay a $33 million bonus, the ongoing strike at Caserones has raised concerns due to the workers' demands and the prolonged lack of dialogue.

It's worth noting that Caserones already faced a collective bargaining process earlier this year, in April, when it successfully reached an agreement with Union No. 1. However, the current situation with the Lumina union, which represents a third of the workforce, remains unresolved, and the workers' expectations, influenced by the recent agreement at Escondida, are further complicating negotiations.