LIMA (Reuters) - The union at the world's largest copper mine, BHP's <BLT.L> <BHP.AX> Escondida deposit in Chile, agreed to extend government-mediated talks with company management late on Monday, suspending its plans for a potential strike.
The union said it had managed to get past key sticking points in negotiations with BHP for a new labour contract, but added in a statement that there were still important points to be resolved.
Workers had approved a stoppage starting on Tuesday if the Anglo-Australian company did not improve its offer for a new contract after five days of negotiations led by the government.
(Reporting By Antonio de la Jara; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
