CORRECTED - Codelco Andina workers likely to OK wage offer
(Corrects salary hike to 3 pct from 5 pct in paragraph 2)
SANTIAGO Nov 20 (Reuters) - Workers at Chile's Andina copper mine are likely to approve a wage offer from owner Codelco, a union leader said on Friday, in a deal that could mark a successful negotiation for the world's top copper miner.
Andina unified workers union official Christian Munoz said workers could finish later on Friday the vote on the company's proposal that includes a single 3 percent wage hike.
"I don't think there will be any difficulties to approve it," Munoz said, declining to give more details on the offer.
Andina's labor talks are watched closely by the market as an upswing in copper prices has raised the demands of mine workers in Chile, which produces a third of the world's copper.
The 1,200 workers, which represent about 60 percent of the mine's labor force, in October rejected a Codelco [CODEL.UL] early offer to raise salaries 3 percent and hand out bonuses worth around $16,000 per worker.
The contract expires on Nov. 30. Andina produced 219,500 tonnes of copper last year.
Workers at Codelco's massive Chuquicamata copper are seeking a 7.5 percent wage hike in negotiations that should conclude in late December. Chuquicamata produced 315,000 tonnes of copper in 2008.
Global miner BHP Billiton (BHP.AX) (BLT.L) is struggling to end a 39-day strike at its Spence copper mine that has raised the specter of wider disruptions at its other operations in Chile. BHP earlier on Friday agreed to resumed talks with strikers. (Reporting by Alonso Soto; Editing by Christian Wiessner)
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