Grupo settles second dispute

Mexican copper giant Grupo Mexico has reached a settlement with union leaders at its massive Cananea mine in Sonora state.

Workers represented by the Mexican Mine and Metallurgical Workers Union were scheduled to vote on the deal at presstime.

Grupo Mexico is the world’s third-largest copper producer; the Cananea division produces about 130,000 tonnes of copper concentrate and roughly 50,000 tonnes of refined copper.

Grupo Mexico recently settled a 17-day strike at the nearby La Caridad mine. The mine produces 140,000 tonnes in copper concentrates per year, and its refinery produces 240,000 tonnes of refined copper.

Combined, the two open-pit mines represent the world’s second-largest copper reserve.

Grupo Mexico still faces a strike threat at its U.S.-based Asarco unit in Texas, where talks with unions are scheduled to resume.