TOP STORIES:

Chile's Mining Industry Faces Rising Costs Over Labor-Antofagasta

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Cost inflation in the Chilean mining industry is a key issue particularly in terms of sourcing skilled labor, a senior executive at Chilean miner Antofagasta PLC (ANTO.LN) said Thursday.

CESCO: Miners Must Adapt Methods To Meet New Challenges

LONDON (Dow Jones)--The traditional approach of the mining industry won't be enough to address the challenges posed by a more complicated, demanding world, an executive at Chilean copper body CESCO said Thursday.

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China Nonferrous Metals Seeks To Accelerate Zambian Investment

LUSAKA, Zambia (Dow Jones)--China's Nonferrous Metals Co. Ltd. (8306.HK) wants to accelerate its investments in Zambia's copper sector, according to a statement from the presidency following a meeting between company executives and Zambian President Michael Sata.

Freeport-McMoRan: Grasberg Work Stoppage Ends; Sees Full Production In 2Q

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) expects its Grasberg mining and milling operations to reach full production in the second quarter as its Indonesia unit has restarted operations after a labor-related shutdown on Feb. 23.

Codelco Prepares Legal Action In Spat With Anglo American - FT

LONDON (Dow Jones)--State-owned Chilean copper miner Codelco is considering additional measures to protect its rights in a dispute with Anglo American (AAL.LN), Thomas Keller, chief financial officer of Codelco, told Thursday's Financial Times.

First Quantum, Zambian Miners Meet For Mediation On Wage Spat

LUSAKA, Zambia (Dow Jones)--First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FM.T) and miners' unions in Zambia are Thursday meeting to seek a resolution to an ongoing labor dispute at the company's Kansanshi copper mine, a union official said Thursday.

MARKETS:

BASE METALS: LME Metals Mostly A Tad Higher; Await US Data

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Base metals are mostly a little higher on the London Metal Exchange Thursday, but are treading water ahead of a further round of economic data later in the session following mixed signals from Asia and the U.S.

By Simon Varcoe, Dow Jones Newswires; 4420-7842-9449; simon.varcoe@dowjones.com