BHP says will not produce copper at Escondida during planned strike

SANTIAGO, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Global miner BHP Billiton (NYSE: BBL - news) said on Tuesday that it plans to halt production at its Chile (Stuttgart: 704599.SG - news) -based Escondida copper mine, the world's biggest, after unionized workers initiate a strike scheduled to begin on Thursday.

(Reporting by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Chris Reese)