Unionized workers at copper miner Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde SAA, (CVERDEC1.VL), controlled by U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX), edged closer to a threatened strike, said a union representative on Thursday.

Cerro Verde union secretary Leoncio Amudio said following a meeting with the company late Wednesday it was "more probable" that a threatened strike would begin Friday morning.

He added that union representatives were due to meet with the Peruvian Labor Department on Thursday morning.

Following that meeting, he said, a union general assembly is expected to meet and take a final decision on whether or not to strike.

In the third quarter, Cerro Verde produced 164.8 million pounds of copper, compared with 160.9 million pounds in the same quarter the previous year. Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA (BVN, BUENAVC1.VL) and a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp. (SSUMY, 8053.TO) also have equity stakes in the company. The mine is located in southern Peru.

Peru is the world's second-largest copper producer according to figures from its mining ministry.

-By Sophie Kevany, Dow Jones Newswires; 511-989-038-043; sophie.kevany@dowjones.com
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