The plan to double ore processing capacity at Bolivia’s largest tin mine continues to be delayed. Empresa Minera Huanuni (EMH), part of the state mining company Comibol, has not yet awarded the contract for the expansion of its tin complex, general manager Marcelino Quispe told BNamericas. "We still haven’t graded the offers. I estimate that the issue will be settled in a period of 20 days," Quispe said. The companies submitted their proposals on 16 March and the project was expected to be awarded before the end of the month. "We have four offers and we are analyzing them to make a decision," Quispe said. Prior to the current round, there had been two previous unsuccessful tenders for a turnkey project to expand the operation.
EMH is to invest US$50 million in an expansion of ore milling capacity to 3,000 tpd, which could potentially result in a rise in annual production of tin-in-concentrates to 13,000 – 14,000 tpy. Current mill capacity is 1,200 tpd, although extra capacity is provided by another old 300 tpd mill nearby previously used by co-operatives. Huanuni produced 9,751 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate last year, accounting for 48% of Bolivia’s total tin mine output.
