SANTIAGO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Union workers at BHP Billiton's (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) Spence copper mine in Chile were ready start the strike on Tuesday after rejecting a wage offer, the union president told Reuters.
The stoppage at the mine, which produced 164,761 tonnes of copper cathodes in 2008, could stoke fears of supply disruptions of the red metal and lift copper prices that have seen a steep recovery so far this year.
The 560-member union voted to scrap the offer and strike on Monday.
A BHP spokesman in Chile was not immediately available for comment. It was not clear what impact the strike could have on production.
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