Sintramienergetica union representative Stevenson Avila told Reuters that the miners reached a definitive agreement that includes pay increases ranging from 1.5% to 4% above the annual inflation rate for the next three years.

Avila also noted that the union was willing to negotiate with fellow Colombian miner Glencore.

Members of the producer’s La Jagua mine voted to strike more than a week ago, and according to labor laws, laborers have 10 days after a strike vote to walk off the job.

"We have all the willingness to sit down and negotiate with Glencore as long as they bring new proposals," Avila told the news service, adding that the workers’ walkout deadline is the end of this week.

In 2009, Alabama-based Drummond saw 8000 workers go on strike after the death of a truck operator at the Pribbenow surface mine in the Cesar Province of northern Colombia.

The most recent strike threat included workers at the Pribbenow and the Descanso mines, also in the province.

Earlier news reports outlined that Drummond had offering an increase of 3% over inflation in a three-year deal plus a one-time bonus of 7 million Colombian pesos ($A4112).

Last year, chairman Garry Drummond was expecting 30 million tons of thermal coal exports in 2010.

The company is controlled by the Drummond family and also operates the 450-worker Shoal Creek complex in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Colombia is the world’s fifth-largest coal exporter, ranking behind production heavyweights including Indonesia and Australia.