Chile’s Escondida and Zaldivar copper mines are facing operational disruption after striking contract workers launched intermittent roadblocks on a critical mining route, creating delays in shift changes and restricting vehicle traffic, according to BHP.
The disruptions are centered in the La Negra industrial sector and along the road leading to BHP’s Escondida mine and Antofagasta Minerals’ Zaldivar mine. Union sources described the impacted corridor as the access road connecting the northern city of Antofagasta with multiple mining sites.
BHP said the blockades have affected its operations for four days through intermittent stoppages that slow or prevent vehicle movement to and from Escondida, with knock-on effects for shift handovers.
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“Our company has been affected for four days by a third-party conflict. The blockades on the mining route have led to intermittent vehicle traffic to and from our operations, with delays in shift changes,” said Pablo Pisani, vice president of corporate affairs and communications for Escondida-BHP.
BHP urged a faster resolution, asking authorities and involved parties to restore conditions that allow normal operations.
“We urgently call on the authorities and all involved parties to resolve this situation so that we can carry out our activities under appropriate conditions,” Pisani added.
The workers are employed by contractor Finning and have been on strike since the beginning of January after contract negotiations failed, Reuters reported. Union 2 members at the machinery contractor began the work stoppage earlier in the month, with temporary blockades increasing over the last four days.
The same blockades have also disrupted access to Antofagasta Minerals’ Zaldivar mine, widening the event beyond a single operator’s site logistics.
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