BHP Billiton Group's Escondida copper mine in Chile appointed Mauro Neves as the mine's new president, effective April 17, following the failure of the wage deal negotiations, Reuters reported March 29.

Neves, who has previously served at Vale SA and Aurizon Holdings Ltd., will take over from Interim President Marcelo Castillo.

The strike at Escondida ended after 43 days, after the union decided to invoke article 369 of the country's labor code.