The world’s biggest copper mine – the Escondida in Chile – has suspended operations as a strike by union workers enters its twelfth day. According to the company’s management, the decision was taken after workers blocked access roads

The management also expressed concern over the health and security of people who continued to work in the mine which produces 8 per cent of the world’s copper. The strike has been affecting copper prices for days as investors continue to speculate on when it could end.

More than 2,000 of the mine’s workers went on strike on August 7^th for bigger wages and special bonuses for every worker. The two sides in the dispute are continuing to hold negotiations but so far no agreement has been reached.