Workers vote to strike at Chile's Chuquicamata

The unionized workers of Chile's Chuquicamata mine, the world's largest open pit copper mine by physical size, have voted to strike after state copper producer Codelco announced a redesign of the operation and the closure of the open pit operation.

Unions 1, 2, 3 in Chuquicamata and union 1 in Antofagasta approved the stoppage of activities under the slogan "Let's Save Chuquicamata from Destruction" after holding an assembly, said Chuquicamata's union 2 in a statement.

For two hours, around 2,000 workers analyzed Chuquicamata's difficult scenario. The redesign of the areas, the closure of the open-pit mine, and the company's announcement to dismiss about 1,700 workers are part of the subjects that were discussed in the meeting.

"The representatives of the workers have been and will continue to be available to dialogue, represent and defend the interests of their associates in these important decisions, as they assure that it will not be possible to move forward without considering the workers," the statement said.

According to the statement, the strike will start "soon" but no specific date has been set.