Strikers At Peru's Cerro Verde See Little Progress -Union

Striking union workers at Peruvian copper producer Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde SA (CVERDEC1.VL) have seen little progress toward resolving the walkout that began in late September, a union official said.

National Mining Federation President Luis Castillo said there were no advances this week. However, he said government-brokered talks are scheduled for Monday.

"The situation is very difficult," Castillo said.

Workers at Cerro Verde, Peru's third biggest copper producer, went on strike on Sept. 29 to seek higher pay amid negotiations for a new collective agreement.

The company has said it is willing to continue talks with the union and that it is operating the facilities with supervisors and other personnel that volunteered during the strike.

The union has said it will look to paralyze operations by pressuring the government and Congress to send labor inspectors to determine if the company is complying with regulations.

Cerro Verde produced 170 million pounds of copper in the second quarter of this year, up from 166 million pounds in the same period in 2010.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc (FCX) has a majority stake in Cerro Verde. Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA (BVN, BUENAVC1.VL) and a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp. (SSUMY, 8053.TO) also have an interest in the company.

-By Ryan Dube, Dow Jones Newswires; 51-945 043 802; [e-mail]