Media reported BHP and the main union at the Escondida copper mine in Chile have
reached a preliminary agreement, lowering the risk of an immediate strike at the
world's largest copper mine. The deal is expected to be submitted to union
members for a vote; the union said the benefits and severity terms are superior
to BHP’s Oct. 12 proposal. BHP’s earlier offer included a final severance
payment and a low‑interest loan, totaling about $30,000 per worker.
Negotiations began only hours before the planned walkout in an 11th‑hour bid to
avoid disruptions to global copper supply.
