Workers at Empresa Metalúrgica Vinto (EMV) tin smelter are due to meet today to consider renewed strike action in support of demands for productivity bonuses, according to BN Americas. A strike last month was ended when the government promised to evaluate workers’ demands within 14 days.
Earlier this week Platts reported that the plant only produced 720 tonnes in May, compared to an average rate of some 1,000 tpm before nationalization in February, and has now closed an electric furnace for a three-month maintenance programme.
The furnace shutdown was expected to reduce output by 15%, although the main reason for only 50% capacity utilization at the plant was lack of concentrate feed from Bolivia’s mines.
