September 08, 2008

El Alto hopes to install Zn smelter - Bolivia

BNamericas reported that Local government in the Bolivian town of El Alto is looking at installing a zinc smelter to process concentrates.

Mr Pedro Mariobo deputy mining minister of Bolivia's said "The city of El Alto is interested in development and its policy even exempts all industry that enters the area from paying taxes over the next 10 years. He said by doing so, El Alto is attracting investors and companies from different fields and has achieved a high growth rate, which has reached 8% in recent years and exceeds the 6% growth reported in the city of Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia.”

Mr Mariobo said also because of the mining boom the city is inviting smelters to establish themselves here, adding that would ideally include a zinc smelter. He said the Colquiri and Matilde zinc mines are located near El Alto.

Mr Elías Troche head of the local economic and productive development office was quoted as saying by state news agency ABI that "We want El Alto to become a truly productive city and based on that we may have a smelter within a few months."

El Alto is located northwest of Bolivia's capital La Paz at 4,000 meters above sea level.