La Paz | April 9, 2025
The permanent closure of mining operations above the 4,400-meter elevation at Cerro Rico de Potosí has reached 80%. Of the 56 mine entrances (bocaminas) that were operating as of December last year, 36 have already been shut down. An additional 10 will be closed in 2025, and the remaining eight are scheduled for closure by 2026.
Legal Compliance with Court Ruling
According to a report from the Bolivian Mining Corporation (Comibol), this closure process complies with a 2022 resolution from the Second Constitutional Chamber of the Departmental Court of Justice of Potosí. The court ordered Comibol to relocate mining cooperatives to areas below the 4,400-meter mark on Cerro Rico.
The ruling also instructed the Ministry of Mining to enforce stricter oversight and ensure that mining cooperatives adhere to legal contracts and environmental regulations. These actions are intended to:
- Stabilize the slope of Cerro Rico
- Preserve the mountain’s geological and structural integrity
- Ensure long-term sustainability of mining employment in the area
Transition Strategy and Socialization Efforts
Between 2022 and 2024, Comibol increased efforts to inform and persuade cooperatives operating above 4,400 meters to relocate. This included legal and technical meetings, identification of new viable mining areas, and detailed planning for mine migration.
Status of Mine Closures
Out of the 56 identified entrances:
- 13 were already abandoned
- 23 were shut down under the formal closure plan initiated in 2022
- A total of 36 closures have now been completed
Work is ongoing on closure plans for the remaining 18 entrances:
- 10 will be closed in 2025
- 8 will remain pending until 2026
New Mining Zones Under Evaluation
Comibol is also working on new contracts in state-owned areas and mapping out geologically favorable zones below the 4,400-meter mark. These zones are expected to host mineralized structures suitable for future sustainable mining operations.
The Deterioration of a Symbol
Cerro Rico, one of Bolivia’s most iconic landmarks, has suffered significant geological damage after years of intensive mining activity. The closure of high-altitude mines is a key step toward preserving the structural integrity of this national symbol.
