Bolivian mine to treat acid water

Bolivia’s government will seek financing to build an acid water treatment plant at the Colquechaca zinc mine, part of a drive to clean up mining liabilities.

Mining minister César Navarro met with lawmakers and officials from the environment ministry and Colquechaca municipality to study the project, the ministry said in a release. The project may be replicated in other parts of the country, Navarro said.

The cooperative-run mine in La Paz department mainly treats zinc and iron oxide from tailings, according to the ministry.

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A military and police operation arrested 30 illegal gold miners in the Bolivian Amazon, as the government seeks to clamp down on unauthorized mining operations in remote areas.

The miners were operating 30 unauthorized river dredges in the Madre de Dios river in Pando department, according to mining agency Ajam, which discovered mercury supplies, firearms and communications equipment.