Monitor this situation.
Unsubscribe anytime.
[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [BUSINESS]
10 clusters · 37 sources · 37 days · First seen · Last updated
Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia
Overview
In La Asunta, La Paz, community members seized a mining camp near the Boopi River following protests against a Chinese mining company. Demonstrators accused the firm of illegal exploitation, environmental pollution, and diverting river flow, which increased regional flooding risks. The unrest led to violent clashes, injuries, and the burning of heavy machinery. While police and the Public Ministry intervened, community leaders criticized the Administrative Mining Jurisdictional Authority (AJAM) for failing to address previous complaints. Following these events, the Federation of Mining Workers of Bolivia (FSTMB) demanded the dismissal of Mining Minister Marco Antonio Calderón. FSTMB executive Andrés Paye alleged that foreign companies from China and Brazil are partnering with local cooperatives in ways that leave local workers with only 20% of proceeds. The federation warned that illegal mining is linked to organized crime and environmental damage, vowing to continue protests until the government implements new laws to combat land grabbing and unregulated mining. In a related development, authorities conducted a joint operation with the Special Force for the Fight Against Environmental Crimes (FELCDA) in the Sorata municipality of La Paz. The operation resulted in the apprehension of 18 individuals, including 11 Chinese citizens and 7 Bolivians. Recent unrest has expanded to include nationwide protests by environmental activists in La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre, and Tarija against the use of mercury and cyanide. Activist Carmen Capriles stated that mining is turning parts of the country into “sacrifice zones” by contaminating water and wildlife. Meanwhile, in the Pando Amazon region, the Central Indígena de los Pueblos Originarios de la Amazonia de Pando (CIPOAP) announced plans to forcibly evict gold mining cooperatives from the Madre de Dios River by September 30.
Entities
Autoridad Jurisdiccional Administrativa Minera · AJAM · La Paz · Administrative Mining Jurisdictional Authority · Bolivian Police
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] AJAM detected illegal mining activities in the Orkojahuira and Irpavi basins in La Paz.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Illegal mining operations were identified near the EPSAS drinking water treatment plant in the Chuquiaguillo river sector.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A large-scale irregular mining operation was detected inside the Salar de Uyuni fiscal reserve in Potosí.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The mining operation in Salar de Uyuni has been active for at least one year.
- [○ 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.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] It is estimated that more than half of Bolivian gold is exploited by illegal miners and exported irregularly.
Timeline
-
[INTERNATIONAL] 8 sourcesIllegal mining near Madidi National Park causes pollution and threats in Bolivia
Illegal gold mining near Bolivia's Madidi National Park is causing mercury pollution and threatening indigenous communities, despite judicial orders to halt the activity.
-
[CRIME] 7 sourcesMining authorities halt illegal activities in Bolivia and Argentina
Mining authorities in Bolivia and Argentina have halted illegal operations near the Milluni dam and suspended a quarry in San Rafael for unauthorized explosive use.
-
[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesIndigenous groups in Pando announce eviction of gold miners
Indigenous groups in Pando, Bolivia, plan to evict gold mining cooperatives from the Madre de Dios River by September 30 to combat mercury pollution and illegal mining in their territories.
-
[INTERNATIONAL] 5 sourcesBolivian environmentalists protest mining impacts
Environmental activists in Bolivia protested against mining activities in La Paz and other cities, citing water contamination and minimal economic benefits from royalties.
-
[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesBolivian mining cooperatives controlled 95% of gold production since 2006
A study shows Bolivian mining cooperatives controlled 95% of gold production from 2006-2024, generating $20.7 billion in value but contributing only $400 million in taxes to the State.
-
[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesAJAM intensifies operations against illegal mining in Bolivia
Bolivia's AJAM is conducting nationwide operations to halt illegal mining, including interventions at the Milluni dam and within the Salar de Uyuni Fiscal Reserve.
-
[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesBolivia detects large-scale illegal mining in La Paz and Salar de Uyuni
Bolivian authorities have uncovered large-scale illegal mining in La Paz and the Salar de Uyuni, amid concerns that widespread gold smuggling is undermining the national economy.
-
[CRIME] 10 sourcesIllegal gold mining operations face crackdown in Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela
Authorities in Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela are cracking down on illegal gold mining operations linked to organized crime, environmental destruction, and dangerous child labor.
-
[BUSINESS] 4 sourcesBolivian miners demand dismissal of Mining Minister over illegal mining rise
Bolivian mining workers are demanding the dismissal of the Mining Minister, alleging a failure to control illegal mining, land encroachments, and the influence of foreign operators.
-
[CRIME] 6 sourcesLa Asunta community seizes mining camp over pollution claims
Protesters in La Asunta, Bolivia, seized a mining camp and burned machinery to demand the expulsion of a Chinese company accused of illegal mining and polluting the Boopi River.
Sources
ahoradigital.net · anabolivia.org · anred.org · boyacadigital.com · cabildeodigital.com · cablenoticias.tv · cadenanueve.com · carlospazvivo.com · conflictosmineros.net · contrapodernews.com · diariosanrafael.com.ar · elaltoesnoticia.com · elovallino.cl · elregional.cl · entreriosya.com.ar · epanews.cl · exitonoticias.com.bo · guik.pe · ipsnoticias.net · lapatilla.com · lapatria.bo · larazon.co · laregiontula.com.mx · lavozdetarija.com · lineasemergentes.mx · mendozatoday.com.ar · minuto30.com · noticiasvioleta.com · orientese.co · panamaamerica.com.pa · periodismopublico.com · quintopoder.com.co · radiokollasuyo.bo · radioregional.com.ar · regionalista.cl · rtpbolivia.com.bo · sinmordaza.com
This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history