Strike closes large Chilean copper mine

Codelco president Jose Pablo Arellano said operations at El Teniente mine just south of Santiago will only be resumed once the safety of the workers who are not on strike can be guaranteed.

Strikers have repeatedly attacked buses carrying miners with rocks, injuring at least one person, police officials said.

"It is unacceptable that some people attack Chilean workers going to their jobs," Arellano said.

The strike, which began Wednesday, already had forced Codelco to close two of its smaller mines, Andina and El Salvador. Chuquicamata, the company's largest mine in northern Chile, continues to operate.

About 28,000 contract workers are hired by private companies to provide Codelco with services including transportation, catering, security and maintenance.

Striking workers claim the company has failed to fulfill accords for better working conditions, cash bonuses and other benefits that ended a monthlong strike last year. Codelco insists it has fulfilled the conditions.