Bolivia's Comibol battling theft at tin mine

Bolivian state mining company Comibol, which has struggled over the past year with strikes, protests, metals prices and technical problems, is now battling a problem that is racking up millions of dollars in losses: mineral theft.

Clashes between thieves and workers at the Huanuni tin mine in Oruro department left at least two people injured and one arrested, Comibol said in a statement.

A group of 70 armed thieves known locally as jukus were caught attempting to steal mined ore and machinery inside the underground mine, the company said, citing union general secretary Elás Colque.

Mineral theft is costing the company an estimated 2mn bolivianos (US$280,000) a month, Empresa Minera Huanuni general manager Winston Medrano said earlier this year. Huanuni, which was declared to be in a state of emergency in February, has initiated 160 lawsuits against alleged thieves, according to the company.

Operations at Huanuni were halted by a strike last month as workers protested against the government's plans to reduce the company's workforce and charge more for electricity. Huanuni produced 7,084t tin last year, down from 7,695t in 2015, according to the company's website.

Comibol has been beset by problems over the past year, closing both the Karachipampa and Vinto smelters as well as its El Mutún iron-steel operation due to technical problems and falling metals prices. In addition, Glencore last year filed for arbitration against the Bolivian government for the expropriation of mining assets from 2007-12.

Tin prices, however, have risen 10% over the past year to about US$20,500/t.

Private investment has plummeted in Bolivia since President Morales, who was sworn in for a third consecutive term in 2015, seized mining operations from companies including Glencore, South American Silver and Jindal Steel since first taking office in 2006.