Union at Southern Copper in Peru starts strike

LIMA, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Members of the Toquepala mine workers union at Southern Copper (SPC.LM: Quote, Profile, Research)(PCU.N: Quote, Profile, Research) in Peru started a strike on Tuesday for higher wages, the head of the union said.

Unions at the company's Ilo smelter and the Cuajone mine were expected to join the walkout shortly.

Southern Copper is controlled by Grupo Mexico (GMEXICOB.MX: Quote, Profile, Research), whose Cananea copper pit has been hit by a strike.