The Bolivian government has declared the Empresa Metalurgica Vinto tin smelter and state mining company Comibol national strategic public companies. “The decision makes it easier to manage both companies given the role they play in the country’s economic growth,” a Comibol spokesperson told BNamericas.
As a result of the supreme decree awarding the new status, both companies will be able to contract directly material, input supplies and the equipment necessary for operations, the spokesperson said.
The Vinto smelter, which produced 9,448 tonnes of refined tin in 2007, is embarking on a major modernisation programme involving the installation of a 19,000 tpy capacity Ausmelt furnace. Meanwhile Comibol’s Huanuni tin mine is developing trackless mining of the deeper levels of the operation and planning a major mill expansion.
