Santiago, March 24 (RHC-Xinhua) -- Chilean miners on Thursday ended a strike that paralyzed operations at the world's largest copper mine for 43 days.

The miners accepted a deal "to extend the current collective contract for 18 months," the regional daily Cooperativa said, adding the decision was seen as "a victory" by the union despite a failure to secure a wage increase.

Union leader Patricio Tapia hailed the decision for strengthening the collective contract and for calling for a new round of negotiations in June, 2018, which will include both existing and new workers and be based on the current contract terms.

The more than month-long strike led to losses of some 700 million U.S. dollars at La Escondida mine in the northern Antofagasta region. Miners are expected to be back at work on Saturday.