The battle for control of the mining industry in Bolivia between the government and co-operatives continues. Police yesterday arrested six co-operative workers and confiscated dynamite which might have been used in another planned mass demonstration in La Paz. Meanwhile talks are being held between the government and the Mining Workers Federation (FENCOMIN), the main body representing co-operatives, over a variety of demands, including increased access to tin reserves around the Huanuni mine.
Unionized workers at the Huanuni mine last Wednesday approved an agreement reached earlier between union leaders and government mining company Comibol, ending a strike which had begun on 2 July. The government agreed to speed up final approval of a law to give Comibol full control of the mine and will also carry out studies related to potential investment of some US$19 million in the operation.
Meanwhile efforts to prevent “looting” of ore by co-operative miners active in the area will be stepped up. These include the establishment of a regulatory agency, Senarecom, which will control all sales of both tin concentrate and metal in Bolivia.
