Chile copper miner Codelco reaches contract agreements with 3 unions

Chilean miner Codelco, the world's No. 1 copper producer, said on Monday it reached contract agreements with three unions, putting off the risk of a strike at the state-run giant. Codelco reached an early agreement with two unions at its Ventanas division, a copper refinery in the town of Ventanas about an hour from Valparaiso, the miner said in a statement. The 36-month contract offers were accepted by more than 70% of those who voted.