Bolivia’s Congress has approved the law to nationalise the Posokoni tin deposit at the Huanuni mine, awarding control to Bolivian state miner Comibol. The same bill also prevents Comibol from intervening in concession contracts signed with co-operative miners in any region other than Posokoni hill.
Finalisation of the nationalisation was one of the key demands by Comibol workers who went on strike between July 2 and 11. However mining co-operatives continue to protest at the government’s strategy of building up the state company and raising taxes.
President Evo Morales defended his approach at the weekend, saying: "We need miners in the nationalised, state mining sector, revolutionaries who are committed to the nation, not just to money”.
Many of the government’s mining reforms have not yet been discussed by Congress, and most of the changes so far have been made by presidential decree.
