SANTIAGO, Nov 30 Reuters -- Chile's Senate on Tuesday pushed forward a bill to increase royalty payments from mining companies that are in the world's largest copper producer, a legislation that is backed by opposition lawmakers.
The Senate passed a bill that was previously passed by the lower chamber of deputies in May, but it was approved by 18 votes in favor, versus 16 against.
I am voting in favor of the royalty bill, and I have no doubt that in the weeks that remain we are going to set the deadline for the presentation of amendments to improve this bill, said center-left senator Yasna Provoste.
The mining industry strongly opposes the idea of raising the tax burden, arguing it is already at its limit, and has said the bill could push some firms out of business.
Some parties on the opposition left have proposed increasing the levy to increase tax collection, which they say is key to funding more social initiatives as the Andean country recovers from the coronaviruses epidemic.
The global price of the red metal is near decade-long highs, which is a topic of discussion.
Chile's copper sector is dominated by state mining giant Codelco, along with multinational companies such as BHP, Anglo American, Glencore, Antofagasta and Freeport.