Amerigo Resources Ltd. said Sept. 30 that the union at its Minera Valle Central copper operation in Chile has voted to reject the company's contract offer.

The company has been engaged in negotiations with the 216-member union to renew the current collective agreement, which was due to expire on Sept. 30.

Amerigo has requested the Chilean Labor Authority to intervene to further extend talks, which will postpone the strike by five working days to the first working shift on Oct. 6.

The strike may be further postponed until Oct. 11, if both parties agree to request the continuation of mediation services.

Meanwhile, the company will continue discussions with the union in the coming days in an effort to reach a new collective agreement as it believes it has presented a fair offer.

However, Amerigo is taking the necessary operational and legal steps to be prepared for a strike.