2025-04-03T17:29:50.000Z

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded early Thursday morning in northwestern Bolivia, where at least six individuals lost their lives during a violent confrontation between rival groups of gold miners armed with dynamite. This clash is a rare and alarming example of how territorial disputes among the country's mining cooperatives can escalate into fatal violence.

The violent episode took place at the Yani mining camp, located near the picturesque mountain town of Sorata, approximately 150 kilometers (about 90 miles) northwest of Bolivia’s administrative capital, La Paz. According to local police officer Col. Gunther Agudo, the incident was marked by a powerful explosion that reverberated through the mining community as the two factions vied for access to lucrative gold deposits in the area, which is known for its rich natural resources.

“We’re continuing the rescue efforts,” Agudo stated, emphasizing the ongoing response from authorities in the wake of the disaster. The explosion, which occurred just before dawn, caused significant destruction, damaging several homes and cutting off electricity in the mining camp.

In the aftermath of this tragic event, prosecutors arrived at the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast. The incident highlights the growing tensions that have long existed among the various mining cooperatives, which play a crucial role in Bolivia’s mining sector. These cooperatives, comprised largely of artisanal miners, represent a significant portion of the mining workforce and have established substantial political influence within the country.

Historically, mining cooperatives emerged in Bolivia as a response to the dismissal of large numbers of workers by established mining companies, who regularly downsized during periods of economic downturn. This forced many miners to band together and form cooperatives to protect their livelihoods, especially during times when commodity prices fell and layoffs became imminent.

Over the years, competition among these cooperatives for mineral extraction rights has intensified, resulting in violent confrontations that include throwing rocks and using dynamite against one another, as well as against unionized workers from Bolivia’s state-run mining company, Comibol. Comibol has maintained a dominant position in the industry, particularly under the leadership of former President Evo Morales, a socialist who governed from 2006 to 2019. Morales implemented policies that restricted foreign companies from controlling mining operations, ensuring that Bolivians retained a majority stake in their mineral wealth.

The clash that occurred on Thursday was the culmination of a long-standing struggle for control over specific veins of gold reserves between the two rival cooperatives involved. Jhony Silva, a legal advisor representing one of the cooperatives, explained that the conflict had been brewing for years. He confirmed that the bodies of the deceased had been recovered from the debris, but there were concerning reports of individuals still unaccounted for, although he refrained from providing additional details.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatility and dangers inherent in the mining sector in Bolivia, where the quest for precious minerals can lead to deadly consequences. The government’s response and subsequent investigations will be closely watched as Bolivia grapples with the complexities of its mining industry and the ongoing challenges posed by cooperative rivalries.