Bolivian Community Fights Back Against Toxic Mining

In the Andean Altiplano of Bolivia, the small community of Totoral Chico faces a grave threat. The La Salvada mining company, using toxic substances like mercury, arsenic, and sulfuric acid, began large-scale operations in 2022. This has led to environmental contamination and violence, with local advocate Soraida Ventura at the forefront of resistance.

Totoral Chico, named after the totora plant, is a tight-knit community nestled among cliffs and mountains, with the Desaguadero River running alongside. However, this river, once a lifeline, is now a symbol of the community's plight. It's polluted, stained with various colours, and emits a pungent smell of sulfur and decay due to mining residues from the La Salvada Mine being released directly into it.

On April 5, 2024, a group of miners physically assaulted community members who were protecting their collective grazing lands. This led to the displacement of some community members, adding to the existing shortage of water for consumption and pollution. The community faces further hardships, including dispossession of lands and various forms of violence, with children and adults harassed in public spaces. They live in uncertainty and insecurity.

Soraida Ventura, a 39-year-old member of the community and part of the Council of Justice, is an active advocate. She speaks out against the violence, environmental contamination, and land dispossession affecting her people. The community's central demands include effective access to justice, full reparation for mining damage, a life free from violence, and the application of the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Despite their denouncements, the situation remains unchanged.

The Totoral Chico community continues to suffer due to the illegal presence of mining companies. The pollution of the Desaguadero River, the violence, and the displacement of community members highlight the urgent need for action. The community's demands for justice, reparation, and the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent must be addressed to ensure their safety, well-being, and the preservation of their environment.