TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Base metals miner First Quantum on Wednesday announced that it had resumed construction of the $6.5-billion Cobre Panama copper mine on Saturday, following an illegal work stoppage by some members of its construction workforce.

TSX- and LSE-listed First Quantum said construction activity at its massive Cobre Panama copper project had resumed after workers downed tools almost two weeks ago, amid complaints about a new work roster the company wanted to implement.

The company on Wednesday said, following discussions with union officials, site activities were now ramping up under the new roster of 21 days of work with seven days off, instead of the previous roster of 12 days of work with two days off.