Mineral Resources of Bolivia

Key Minerals

Bolivia is the world's leading silver producer and holds significant reserves of zinc, lead, copper, gold, tin, and lithium. Other minerals include antimony, bismuth, cadmium, cesium, gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, mercury, molybdenum, niobium, platinum, palladium, rubidium, scandium, strontium, tantalum, tellurium, thorium, tungsten, vanadium, and yttrium.

Highlights

• Silver: ~6,500 tonnes/year; mining since Inca era.
• Zinc: 2nd largest reserves globally; mines in Oruro, Potosí, Santa Cruz.
• Tin: 6th largest producer; highland deposits.
• Copper: 6th in South America; Corocoro, San Cristóbal mines.
• Lead: 4th globally; ~120k tonnes/year; Potosí, Oruro.
• Lithium: Extracted from Uyuni & Coipasa salt flats.
• Gold: 3rd largest SA reserves; 11th global producer; Tipuani, Guanay mines.

Mining is a critical economic pillar; responsible development is essential for sustainable growth.