Tension at Escondida mine: workers' strike impacts copper production.

The climate of tension at the Escondida copper mine, the largest in the world, is intensifying following the failure of the latest negotiation attempt between BHP Group and the No. 1 Workers' Union. As the strike enters its third day, talks between both parties have ended without an agreement, threatening to prolong a shutdown that is already having a significant impact on the production of this essential resource. Wednesday's events were marked by a mediation session involving union leaders and company representatives in northern Chile. However, BHP imposed as a condition for continuing negotiations the suspension of the strike, which led the union to be unable to meet the deadline set by the company, which was 2 p.m. local time. This situation has left workers in an uncertain and frustrating position. The No. 1 Workers' Union of Minera Escondida has expressed its disappointment and concern over BHP's unwillingness to engage in dialogue without preconditions. In a statement, the union lamented that the company refused to seek solutions, which has led to an escalation of the strike. In response to this refusal, BHP has not issued comments clarifying its position. The shutdown at Escondida interrupts the production of about 5% of the copper mined globally, right at a time when the industry is facing a concentrate shortage, a crucial raw material for the production of copper-derived products. The instability in production has caused copper futures in London to maintain a relatively unchanged trading trend, reflecting uncertainty in the market. BHP, headquartered in Melbourne, has stated that operations at the mine continue, although it has not provided specific figures on the impact the strike may be having on production. Escondida has been the scene of prolonged stoppages in the past, including a 44-day strike in 2017, which resulted in a dramatic drop in production. The situation has drawn the attention of Chilean authorities, and the Minister of Economy, Nicolás Grau, commented on the matter, expressing his hope that the strike does not prolong due to its potential impact on the national economy. This concern resonates in a context where the mining industry is fundamental to the country's economic growth. The mediation process has been plagued by accusations. The union accused BHP of bad faith for making a new offer public before it was properly discussed. BHP's response was that the disclosure of the offer was due to the absence of union negotiators in the talks. Despite last-minute efforts to reach an agreement, negotiations failed to advance, and workers decided to halt activities. BHP has opted to implement a contingency plan that includes the removal of striking workers and the use of employees not participating in the collective bargaining process. This strategy has been viewed by the union as a violation of fair labor practices, accusing BHP of engaging in "serious anti-union practices." At a time when pressure on the mining sector is intense, the union has assured that it has access to sufficient funds to maintain the strike for an extended period. This suggests that workers are determined to fight for better working conditions despite the challenges. The situation at Escondida continues to be a focal point in the debate over labor rights and the bargaining power of unions in Chile. With the uncertainty surrounding negotiations and copper production, attention is now directed towards how events will unfold in the coming days and whether there will be a change in BHP's stance that would allow for the resumption of dialogue with the workers. The continuation of the strike could not only affect the mine but also have repercussions on the Chilean economy as a whole.