“72-hour strike at Cerro Verde: Union demands health guarantees and denounces working conditions,” December 18, 2025

Calm at the operations of the mining company Cerro Verde appears to have come to an end following the recent announcement by its workers. The union representing the workforce at this major mining operation confirmed that it will initiate a forceful protest measure in response to what it considers a systematic neglect of basic working conditions.

The protest arises as a direct response to the lack of health and safety guarantees which, according to workers, puts their physical integrity at risk every day they enter the mine sites or remain at the processing plants.

One of the most critical issues driving the mobilization is the alarming lack of updated safety equipment. Workers report that protective tools and clothing have not been renewed to meet current industry standards, increasing the risk of preventable workplace accidents.

Union leaders also strongly criticize the lack of adequate rest areas, stating that the company does not ensure suitable spaces for workers to recover after the intense work shifts required in the mining sector.

Additionally, the union highlights that proper work schedules have disappeared, imposing work rhythms that negatively affect workers’ physical and mental health.

The 72-hour strike aims to draw the attention of the company’s senior management and national labor authorities, demanding the immediate restoration of minimum standards of habitability and safety within the mining camp. Union leaders stress that workers’ health cannot be subordinated to annual production targets.