Codelco faces union revolt as Chuqui goes underground

Chile's state copper company Codelco is pushing ahead with plans to thin the workforce despite sharp union opposition at its Chuquicamata operation as it converts from openpit to underground mining, CEO Nelson Pizarro says.

Tom Azzopardi in Santiago

The giant Chuquicamata openpit mine in Chile

"This is a difficult process to assimilate but it is unavoidable," the veteran executive told press at the World Copper Conference in Santiago, Chile.