Unions in Bolivia are taking up arms in an effort to ward off swarms of jobless miners occupying three tin-zinc deposits.
The unemployed Bolivians are demanding that the state seize control of all privately run mines. The jobless are likely to occupy more mines as time passes.
So far, the protest has centred on the state-owned Colquiri and Caracoles tin mines, operated by Grupo ComSur in an area 200 km south of the capital, La Paz. The mines produced a combined 2,790 tonnes tin and 13,787 tonnes zinc in 2002, while employing 300 miners.
The privately held Caracoles mine, 180 km south of La Paz, produces roughly 1,000 tonnes tin annually and is run by mining firm Barrosquira. The mine employs 200.
Both ComSur and Barrosquira are exploiting deposits under contract with the state mining firm Comibol. Jobless miners have said they want the state to revoke these contracts.
Higher metal prices and rising unemployment in Bolivia’s mining sector are to blame for the protest.
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