Workers from two unions at Antofagasta’s Centinela copper mine in Chile will vote on a preliminary collective contract on Saturday, October 17. The parties reached the agreement late on Friday, October 16. Ratification would end a strike that has lasted more than one week.
The labor action began on October 7 after government-led mediation failed. Two unions representing 709 workers rejected the company's initial contract offer. Employees demanded the elimination of wage disparities between staff performing similar roles.
The potential resolution addresses supply uncertainty in the global copper market. Chile remains the world’s largest producer of the metal.