The possibility for the strike at Cerro Matoso nickel mine in which BHP Billiton plc has a 99.8% interest is growing according to the local media.

At this mine, albeit the negotiation on the change in the working conditions was going on between the mining company and the union, the negotiation did not come to an agreement as of April 13. The leader of Sintracerromatoso Union expressed its intention to go on strike unless the settlement is made till 3 p.m. on April 14 (local time), and also commented if the strike takes place, the loss for the company will be Colombian Peso 6 billion (about US$2.35 million) a day.

The nickel production volume at this mine in the full year 2014 (January to December) was 41,200 tons and the sales volume was 40,800 tons (both are in pure nickel equivalent and based on a 99.8% interest), and this mine is a stronghold for BHP Billiton to produce nickel next to Nickel West (Western Australia).

• [Editor:Sophie]