BHP in last-minute talks with union to avert strike at Chile’s Escondida copper mine

TREE NEWS update: A union representing more than 1,000 workers at Chile’s Escondida mine said it is in wage negotiations with operator BHP Group to avert a strike at the world’s largest copper mine. Union leader Alexis Barrera said Wednesday a deal was “possible.” That came hours after the union declared talks had broken down by the midnight deadline and said it would begin a strike at 8 a.m. local time Wednesday. A deal would ease supply shortages for an industry struggling to meet demand driven by investment in data centers and power grids.