The truth above all else

• Do not let yourself become confused by those who are now trying to take advantage of communities and disturb the social peace in Ancash.

It is false that the strike was called due to issues regarding industrial safety or any alleged lack of compliance with labor commitments. The Union itself has confirmed this in the strike notice that it submitted to the Ministry of Labor and to Antamina. The only issue the Union leaders have raised is that they want to continue to receive 18 additional monthly salaries as profit sharing, in addition to the 15 monthly salaries and bonuses that they receive each year (in 2014, the average monthly salary of a worker in Antamina is expected to be over 10 thousand soles). Profits represent variable income and are subject to, among other things, global metal prices and which have now fallen.

• It is false that Antamina is preparing massive layoffs in order to bring in foreign workers. The law protects the rights of our workers. It is essential for you to know that if the strike in Antamina is reconfirmed to be illegal, that each of you must return to work. If you do not, you may lose your job.
• It is not true that any accident has occurred in our operations. It is also not true that a worker was injured and was secretly evacuated from the operation.
• Antamina’s dining hall continues to serve our workers. The dining hall has not closed. Some of workers participating in the strike have continued using it but they have also organized a soup kitchen because they know that the dining area is available for those who have decided to keep working.
• The strikers continue to use the camp facilities. Despite the fact that being on strike means that one must leave the mining camp, many have stayed and are using the services provided there: hot water, cable TV, laundry services, and transportation and communication services.
• Antamina has not cut off communications. We have learned that the mobile cell phones that are not working belong to workers who have not complied with the strike and were paid by the Antamina Labor Union. You should ask the union leaders for an explanation as to why those cell phones are not working despite the fact that we know that these cell phone users paid for their service in advance.
• It is false that Antamina might have kidnapped any workers. Those who have stayed on the job in Antamina are doing so of their own free will. We invite all those who wish to leave the strike to not feel pressured and return to work.
• We strongly urge the leaders of the Antamina Union to act responsibly and to speak the truth. We ask them to stop causing disruption among the people and confusing public opinion with false or inaccurate information. Offering civil construction projects or more job positions to the communities in exchange for their support in this illegal strike is not acting honestly.

The strike has been declared illegal.
We expect the leaders of the Antamina Union to speak the truth.

November 13th, 2014

Compañía Minera Antamina
Corporate Communications Area