Catherwood LibraryILR School

Workers at BHP Group's Escondida copper mine in Chile, the largest copper mine in the world, have gone on strike after wage negotiations failed. Members of Union No. 1, representing about 90% of the mine's operators and maintenance staff, are demanding a larger share of the mine's profits. The strike threatens to disrupt global copper supplies, as Escondida accounts for roughly 5% of the world's mined copper. While BHP has implemented contingency plans to keep the mine operational, the outcome of the ongoing negotiations is being closely monitored, as it could influence other wage talks in Chile's mining industry. The strike comes amid broader concerns about copper demand and the economic outlook in key markets like China and the U.S.