Unions at Codelco's Chuquicamata mine approve new measures to combat COVID-19

Chile's state-run Codelco said last Friday unions at its Chuquicamata mine division had voted to implement a seven-day on, seven-day off shift schedule at the sprawling copper deposit in a bid to reduce worker exposure to the exploding COVID-19 outbreak in the country's mine-rich desert north.

Codelco said in a statement several of the division's unions had approved the measure by a majority vote of over 75%. "This is a preventative measure to reduce exposure time, transfers and the possibility of generating crowds in common areas," the company said.

Codelco's Chuquicamata mine, a massive deposit that produced 385,309 tonnes of copper in 2019, lies in a region that has been especially hard hit by COVID-19. Three workers have died from COVID-19 at the site, according to union and company reports.

Mine unions and social groups have recently ratcheted up pressure on Codelco and other miners to beef up protections for workers, including a proposal this week to close all of the region's mines for two weeks.

The company temporarily shut down its Chuquicamata smelter and refinery, but continues to operate its mines throughout the country with skeleton crews.

.Asian Metal Copyright Mine unions and social groups have recently ratcheted up pressure on Codelco and other miners to beef up protections for workers, including a proposal this week to close all of the region's mines for two weeksAsian Metal Copyright