Bolivian mining cooperatives controlled 95% of gold production since 2006

A study by Fundación Jubileo reveals that gold mining cooperatives in Bolivia accounted for 95% of the country's total gold production between 2006 and 2024. During this 18-year period, these cooperatives extracted gold valued at approximately $20.749 billion, yet contributed only slightly more than $400 million in taxes and royalties to the State.

In contrast, the state-owned Corporación Minera de Bolivia (Comibol) held a 0.06% market share, while the private sector accounted for 5%. The report highlights a significant disparity in taxation, noting that while private companies face a 25% profit tax, cooperatives benefit from an effective royalty rate of only between 2% and 2.5% on gross sales.

The sector saw rapid growth starting in 2010 due to rising international gold prices. As of 2018, there were 1,406 cooperatives dedicated exclusively to gold mining. The study, supported by data from the Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo Laboral y Agrario (Cedla), notes that these organizations vary in size and mechanization. Smaller cooperatives, often consisting of fewer than 20 members, frequently operate under difficult conditions and contribute to environmental damage through the use of mercury.