RPT-UPDATE 5-More workers join Peru's nationwide mining strike

(Repeats to widen distribution) (Adds Cerro Verde to join strike, paragraphs 5-6)

By Dana Ford

LIMA, July 2 (Reuters) -Workers at Peru's third-largest copper pit threw their weight behind a nationwide strike that entered its third day on Wednesday, as miners in hard hats marched through Lima to demand a bigger slice of corporate profits.

Global copper prices MCU3 rose to a two-month high on worries the strike would crimp supplies from the world's No. 2 supplier. Meanwhile, stock prices of mining companies sank as strikers pressed Congress to pass a bill that would force companies to share more of their record profits with workers.

The walkout is the latest sign that President Alan Garcia faces growing calls to spread the wealth to workers and the poor, or risk losing support for his free-market policies at a time when left-wing parties are eyeing elections in 2011.

"The profits belong to us," said Eliza Guerra, 28, who runs heavy machinery at the Antamina mine. "The price of copper is at the highest its ever been and we generate that wealth."

Workers at Freeport-McMoRan's (FCX.N) Cerro Verde copper pit, Peru's third-biggest, approved plans to go on strike in a final round of voting, the union said. Freeport's shares fell nearly 7 percent to $107.57.

"On Saturday, we will go on strike, no matter what," Leoncio Amudio, the union head at Cerro Verde, told Reuters.

Workers at Newmont's (NEM.N) gold mine Yanacocha were still deciding if they would strike, while laborers at Volcan's (VOL_pb.LM) Cerro de Pasco zinc mine chose to stay at work in a first-round vote, but another round of voting remains, union leaders said. Newmont's shares lost 4.5 percent to $50.99.

Laborers were off the job at Doe Run Peru's small copper mine Cobriza, but its La Oroya smelter was operating normally, a company official said.

The strike hit the Cuajone mine and Ilo smelter of Southern Copper (PCU.N), though the company said output was largely unaffected. Its shares dropped more than 5 percent to $101.54.

Garcia's approval rating is hovering near 30 percent and his chief of staff has asked the permanent commission of Congress to vote on the labor bill soon, while most legislators are away on recess.

As the government pushed Congress to approve the bill, it also declared the strike illegal, a ruling it normally makes during walkouts to persuade workers to return to work. If workers fail to return to their jobs within a week or two, the companies could fire them.

Failure to pass the bill could lead to more walkouts, and Peru's largest labor confederation is planning a general strike for July 9.

MINES ON STRIKE

Since the strike started on Monday, walkouts have hit some key mines but affected production only at a couple as some companies called in temporary workers. [ID:nN02364293]