Dock strike slows Peru's mineral exports

Mon Feb 7, 2011 4:03pm GMT
* At least 11 boats waiting to be loaded or unloaded
* Peru is world's second largest zinc producer
LIMA, feb 7 (Reuters) - A strike at Peru's main port was slowing down mineral exports on Monday as workers demanded better benefits in the world's No. 2 zinc producer, a union leader said.
There were at least 11 boats waiting to be loaded or unloaded at the port of Callao, Wilmer Esteves of the dock worker's union told Reuters. Workers had been protesting for better benefits for two weeks before going on strike.
The back-up occurred at a terminal used to export zinc and other minerals from Peru's central Andes.
Staff at the dock is "insufficient to complete the shipments," Peru's association of exporters known as Adex said.
The port is owned by the government and has sent Navy sailors to help load and unload boats.
(Reporting by Teresa Cespedes; Editing by John Picinich, sourced:Thomson Reuters)