After failing to reach an agreement in contract discussions,workers have downed tools at Anglo American Plc's El Soldado copper mine in Chile, Reutersreported July 8, citing union head Jaime Munoz.

The union warned that they would go on strike after workersrejected the company's final contract at the end of June. Official mediationfailed to make any progress since then.

However, the union remained open to restarting talks, Munozsaid.