Codelco turns to the courts after barricade at El Teniente

To see international photos, click here

SANTIAGO.- The El Teniente division of Codelco is set to file a criminal lawsuit at the Rancagua Public Attorney's office after a group of subcontracted workers blocked access to the mine this morning.

The state-owned mining company has reported that, at approximately 7:00 AM this morning, a dozen leaders of subcontracted labor blocked a sector of the inner part of the El Teniente Division, keeping workers from accessing the underground area of the mine.

The company reported however, that the plant and smelting workers were able to enter and work as normal since their areas are located on parts of the road before the barricade.

According to Codelco, this may have been the reason that they were able to keep operations up and running at El Teniente. The corporation added that the workers inside the mine have extended the length of their shift so as not to affect normal production.