Luksic Mining Company Claims Legal Compliance Amid Illegal Replacement Allegations from Unions During Strike

Original article: Minera de los Luksic asegura cumplir la ley, pero sindicatos revelan oficio de la Inspección del Trabajo que constata reemplazos ilegales en plena huelga

Minera Centinela’s assertions regarding adherence to labor laws are facing renewed scrutiny. On Thursday, October 15, unions representing workers from Minera Esperanza and Distrito Centinela disclosed that the Provincial Labor Inspectorate documented illegal worker replacements during the ongoing strike against the company controlled by Antofagasta Minerals, part of the Luksic group.

This development is particularly significant as the company publicly claimed that inspections by the Labor Directorate confirmed their compliance with the law. However, the unions reported receiving notification of an official document stating precisely the opposite, according to their interpretation.

The allegation of illegal replacements at Minera Centinela adds a new chapter to a conflict characterized by accusations of wage and benefit discrimination, a mediation process lacking progress, and the deteriorating health of three workers who are on hunger strike.

Illegal Replacements at Minera Centinela: The Document Questioning the Company’s Claims

Through a joint statement, the unions revealed they were informed about the outcome of the first complaint submitted to the labor authority. Reports regarding two additional complaints concerning similar situations are still pending.

“According to OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION Nº: 201-63910/2026 from the Provincial Labor Inspectorate, illegal replacement of striking workers has been confirmed, a serious unfair practice in collective negotiations,” asserted the organizations.

The union document states that inspections revealed that all personnel in the production cathode laboratory, a crucial facility for feeding the electro-extraction plant, were performing tasks normally assigned to workers participating in the strike.

The unions added a particularly relevant detail regarding the company’s actions: “The Company officially acknowledged the illegal replacement”.

This statement, contained in the union’s release, intensifies questions about the legality of operations during the strike. The organizations argue that the results of the inspections contradict corporate statements and announced plans to take the case to the Labor Court of Antofagasta to denounce what they consider unfair practices in collective bargaining.

🚨⛏️ ILLEGAL REPLACEMENT AT MINERA CENTINELA

The Labor Inspectorate confirmed illegal replacement of workers on strike, as announced by the unions of Minera Esperanza and Distrito Centinela.

✊ The strike is a right and must be respected!

#HuelgaCentinela #DerechosLaborales https://t.co/YYh7ESjKg2

— Sindicato Distrito Centinela (@stdcentinela) October 15, 2026

Unions Report New Labor Violations at Luksic Mining Company

Illegal replacements at Minera Centinela are not the only concerns voiced by workers’ organizations.

In their statements, the unions also noted that since March 2026, the company allegedly operated under exceptional schedules without the necessary authorization from the labor authority.

They explained that they became aware of this situation through resolutions from the Labor Directorate, which adds another controversy to the collective conflict.

The strike, which began on October 7, primarily demands an end to wage and benefit disparities among workers performing equivalent roles but belonging to different labor organizations.

“Our strike has been completely peaceful and orderly, as we await Antofagasta Minerals and its owners, the Luksic family, to put an end to the systematic discrimination in wages and benefits that we have experienced for years,” they expressed.

Eight Days on Hunger Strike and Negotiations Without Agreement

The controversy comes as three workers from Minera Centinela, Luis, Michel, and Cecily, complete eight days on hunger strike, a measure they are undertaking in front of Antofagasta Minerals’ corporate offices in Santiago.

According to health checks conducted by external health personnel, as of October 14, Michel had lost 6.7 kilos, Luis 5.8 kilos, and Cecily 5 kilos. The unions also reported the onset of early symptoms of weakness.

Simultaneously, the organizations criticized that, after three days of voluntary mediation, the company continued to reject a mechanism that would address the differential treatment issues raised during the collective agreement’s validity.

PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM MINERA CENTINELA UNIONS: COMPANY REFUSES TO RESOLVE DISCRIMINATION https://t.co/eHNrMPn3tS

— Sindicato Distrito Centinela (@stdcentinela) October 15, 2026

Minera Centinela, for its part, stated that it had presented new economic proposals and reiterated its willingness to reach an agreement through dialogue. The company also questioned the hunger strike due to the health risks for participants.

However, the unions insist that the conflict cannot be resolved solely with an economic offer but through guarantees of equal treatment for those performing the same functions.

Amid this situation, the organizations hold the executives of Antofagasta Minerals responsible for prolonging the conflict and reiterated that the resolution depends on the company making concrete commitments against labor discrimination.

“The key to resolving this situation lies entirely with the company, which simply needs to commit to treating all its workers equitably who perform the same work,” they concluded.