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[BUSINESS] · Bolivia · 3 sources

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Part of situation: Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia (10 clusters)

Bolivia detects large-scale illegal mining in La Paz and Salar de Uyuni

illegal mining gold smuggling Salar de Uyuni AJAM Bolivia economy

Bolivian authorities have identified significant illegal mining operations across several key regions. The Administrative Mining Jurisdictional Authority (AJAM) reported detecting unauthorized activities in the Orkojahuira and Irpavi basins in La Paz. These operations were found near water reserves and the EPSAS drinking water treatment plant, involving equipment such as pumps and washing chutes used for mineral processing.

In the Potosí department, AJAM discovered a large-scale irregular mining operation within the Salar de Uyuni fiscal reserve. Inspections revealed established infrastructure, including processing pools, pumping systems, and camps, which have reportedly been in use for over a year. Authorities have initiated legal and administrative actions to address this exploitation of state-owned land.

The surge in illegal extraction coincides with a complex economic landscape in Bolivia. While the government reported $3.9 billion in mining exports between January and May 2026, analysts suggest that a significant portion of gold production is informal. It is estimated that more than half of the country's gold is exploited by illegal miners and smuggled, impacting the nation's ability to secure foreign currency reserves.

Entities

AJAM · Epsas · La Paz · Potosí · Salar de Uyuni

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The mining operation in Salar de Uyuni has been active for at least one year. radiokollasuyo.bo
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] A large-scale irregular mining operation was detected inside the Salar de Uyuni fiscal reserve in Potosí. radiokollasuyo.bo
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] It is estimated that more than half of Bolivian gold is exploited by illegal miners and exported irregularly. ipsnoticias.net
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Gold exports from La Paz accounted for 1,166 million dollars of the 3,900 million dollars in mining exports between January and May 2026. ipsnoticias.net
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Illegal mining operations were identified near the EPSAS drinking water treatment plant in the Chuquiaguillo river sector. www.cabildeodigital.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] AJAM detected illegal mining activities in the Orkojahuira and Irpavi basins in La Paz. www.cabildeodigital.com

Sources

Confirman minería ilegal en el Salar de Uyuni [radiokollasuyo.bo]
LA PAZ: AJAM DETECTA MINERÍA ILEGAL EN LAS CUENCAS ORKOJAHUIRA E IRPAVI [www.cabildeodigital.com]
En Bolivia el oro brilla para los depredadores y oscurece ante la sed de divisas [ipsnoticias.net]