Tin production at the Vinto metallurgical complex (CMV) in Bolivia dropped to 9,000 tonnes in 2007, deputy mining minister Pedro Mariobo told BNamericas. However, the official said that in 2008 the quality of the ore received from Comibol’s Huanuni mine will improve and concentrate processing levels will increase as the result of an agreement between CMV and the Venezuelan government to install a new furnace.
Under its previous management by Glencore subsidiary Sinchi Wayra the plant produced 11,804 tonnes in 2006. In an announcement published by the official government news agency ABI at the weekend, Mariobo said the government had continued to meet periodically with Glencore representatives since Bolivia forcibly nationalised the plant on February 9 last year. The two sides continue to dispute compensation terms, but the deputy minister was hopeful that a settlement could be reached without going to international arbitration. Glencore said it has invested $14 million in Vinto, according to ABI, while the Bolivian government claims only $3 million has been invested.
