Subcontracted workers block access to El Teniente mine for second day in a row

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RANCAGUA. -  The Copado tunnel, located inside the El Teniente mining facilities between Colon Alto and Sewel, was taken over by subcontracted workers this morning.

The protesters blocked the access of buses transporting employees on their way to work shift A in the mine.  Some machinery however, was able to enter. 

Activists fled the scene after sighting police and no arrests were made at the demonstration, which was put on by the Association of Subcontracted Worker Unions (ASIC).

Nevertheless, law enforcement officials reported that the demonstrators incapacitated 15 buses after cutting their transmission cables.

According to the company, the protest has not affected operations at the mine.

This is the second-straight day of subcontracted-worker protests at the location.  The CTC (Confederation of Copper Workers), led by Cristián Cuevas, held a demonstration yesterday that managed to halt production for nine hours at El Teniente.

Protests have been a common occurrence along the Copper Highway, with frequent assaults on buses being reported during the last few months.