Lundin Mining is assessing the feasibility of a restart of operations at its Candelaria copper mine in northern Chile after workers voted to end a month-long strike at the operation, the company said.
Members of the Candelaria AOS union voted to accept the latest offer from management on November 19, ending a protest which lasted exactly 32 days.
Lundin halted production at Candelaria after the strike began Oct 20.
However, a resumption of normal operations could be hindered by a continuing strike by the smaller Mina union which has blockaded the mine on numerous occasions since beginning an indefinite strike on Oct 8.
"The safe resumption of partial operations is being assessed while the Candelaria Mine Workers Union, representing approximately 350 workers, continues with its labour action," Lundin said in a statement.
The 30-month contract, which includes benefits worth Chilean Peso 17.5 million ($22,800), is basically the same as the one that AOS workers rejected early last week but this time the company included a commitment to consider issues raised by the union not covered during recent negotiations in their next contract.
The Candelaria mine, which includes open pit and underground operations, produced 111,400 mt of copper last year.
Canada-based Lundin owns 80% of the complex while Japan's Sumitomo Corp owns 20%.
Source: Platts |
