Chile’s Collahuasi copper mine has resumed limited operations a day after protesting subcontractors lifted a five-day blockade over better pay and work conditions.
The mine, which produces 3.3% of the world’s mined copper, is expected to return to normal levels soon.
Earlier, the mine had declared force majeure, a contract clause that enables it to default on delivery obligations because of the protest.
The Collahuasi mine suspended operations last week after hundreds of subcontractors blocked access to the mine for better working conditions and pay.
Subcontractor union leader and spokesman Alejandro Allende told Reuters the subcontract workers moved their protest to the city of Iquique so they could hold internal talks to define their action plan.
Anglo American and Xstrata each own a 44% stake in Collahuasi mine while the rest is held by a Japanese consortium led by Mitsui & Co.
