Bolivian state tin miner Empresa Minera Huanuni (EMH) has started the construction of a tailings dam that will mitigate environmental impact in the surrounding area, EMH manager Roberto Montaño told BNamericas. The dam, which will have a storage capacity of 5Mt over five years, is due to cost approximately US$2 million and construction should be complete within eight months. Tailings from the Huanuni mill are currently discharged into a nearby river, providing scavenging work for the local population.

Meanwhile the company is carrying out a tender process for the construction of a much enlarged concentrator. Meetings have already been held with the 12 companies interested in the project, which have also visited the area where the plant will be built, according to Montaño. Bolivia's government launched a tender in March for equipment at the EMH complex where the expansion project will require a US$40 million investment, to be provided by the company that wins the tender and state miner Comibol. The Huanuni mine produced 9,968 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate last year.