Union at Chile’s Centinela copper mine opts to extend talks

The mine supervisor union for Chile’s Centinela mine, operated by stage.mining.company Antofagasta, decided to extend negotiations to avoid a strike, the union said on Monday.

The union said in a statement that the company had made a new, much better offer, causing union leaders to hold off on threats of a strike to discuss the offer with union members.

The union said talks would be extended through Tuesday and Wednesday.

Union members had rejected a previous proposal from the stage.mining.company in mid-May, and began a mediation period with the government last week.

In 2022, Centinela produced 247,600 tonnes of copper, according to data from the state agency Cochilco.

(By Fabian Cambero and Carolina Pulice; Editing by Brendan O’Boyle)