Peruvian ore miners strike at iron mine

Peruvian ore miners strike at iron mine

A third strike in 12 months has seriously affected production at Peru’s only iron mine as workers demand higher pay. More than 600 of the mine’s 869 workers at Shougang Hierro Peru SAA have gone strike demanding a $1.54 a day raise. China’s Shougang Corp., who owns the mine, has offered $0.52 per day. China imports nearly 1.5 percent of its iron ore from Hierro Peru, accounting for half of Peru’s total ore production. Last year the mine saw a 22 percent year-on-year production increase. However, April 2005’s year-to-date production figures have declined by just over 6.5 percent. Twice last year, workers went on strike, bringing production to a virtual standstill for 41 days. And at Peru’s largest zinc and lead producer, Volcan Cia. Minera SA, workers downed tools for eight days in June.