Unionised workers at BHP´s Escondida copper mine, the world´s largest, said on Wednesday they would ask authorities to shut down the mine unless management begins to implement stricter measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The union said in a statement its members were particularly exposed to the virus given the often tight quarters at mine facilities and frequent travel from disparate parts of Chile.
"If minimum health and safety conditions aren´t met shortly…we will ask government agencies…to apply the measures necessary to suspend production," the union said in a statement.