BHP says it declares force majeure at Chile's Escondida copper mine

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Global miner BHP Billiton has declared force majeure on copper shipments from its Escondida mine in Chile, the world's largest copper mine, as a workers' strike entered its second day, a spokesman told Reuters on Friday. Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange rose 4.5 percent to hit $6,083 a tonne, its highest since June 2015. (Reporting by Anthony Esposito; Writing by Gram Slattery)