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 severance terms are superior to BHP’s Oct. 12 proposal. BHP’s earlier offer included a final severance payment and a low‑interest loan, totalling about $30,000 per worker. Negotiations began only hours before th

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 severance terms are superior to BHP’s Oct. 12 proposal. BHP’s earlier offer included a final severance payment and a low‑interest loan, totalling 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.