The world's largest copper mine, Chile's Escondida, resumed talks with union workers on Saturday as a strike that has cut production in half entered its 13th day, Reuters reported. Workers at Escondida, majority-owned by global mining company BHP Billiton, returned to negotiations after Chile's government stepped in on Friday to try to resolve the strike that saw violent demonstrations this week. Workers are demanding a raise in salary and benefits that reflects copper prices that have jumped five-fold since they signed their previous contract in 2003. "We are optimistic. The workers are calm ... plus there's going to be a labor mediator present," union secretary Pedro Marin told Reuters as he entered the talks in Antofagasta, the mining town that serves Escondida and other globally owned mines.
