Mining confrontation in Seque Jahuira: a struggle for survival and land preservation
In the heart of Bolivia, the Seque Jahuira community, a part of the Aymara Nation, located in the municipality of Viacha, has been battling against 23 mining plants on their territory since 2024. Their struggle intensified this year, following the confirmation of cyanide in the waters of the mining zone on August 22, 2025.
The detection of cyanide, a highly toxic substance, poses a significant risk to both human health and the environment. This revelation was made public after a tour carried out on the said date, which confirmed the presence of the harmful chemical in the waters of the mining zone.
In response, the Defender of the People of the Plurinational State of Bolivia published a statement titled "Demand Response to the Contamination of Viacha" on August 27, 2025. The statement called for immediate action, leading to the passage of Law 042/2025, which orders the immediate closure of mining cooperatives in the municipality.
The law also initiates a mitigation mechanism and compensation for the damages caused to water sources. It is pending promulgation by the Mayor, a necessary procedure for its entry into force and immediate application.
The communities affected demanded the cessation of mining activities and a plan to verify the impacts they are experiencing. They also requested an environmental audit to determine the levels of contamination and an analysis of the type of treatment the companies are carrying out for the exploration and extraction of mining.
Cultural Survival, an organisation that has been accompanying the Seque Jahuira community in its struggle for the defense of its territory, continues to support and amplify the calls for justice for Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia.
The mining plants in the region have been responsible for leaching mining waste brought from other regions of the country, causing ecological devastation. This has led to contamination of water and soil, causing animal deaths, affecting agricultural production, and leading to forced displacement.
On September 1, 2025, Seque Jahuira and neighbouring communities organised a march that ended with the takeover of the municipality of Viacha. This action was a response to the perceived abandonment and lack of protection of their rights by the State.
A hearing addressing the communities' complaints against the mining activities was held on August 26, 2024, but it seems the State's actions have fallen short. The communities continue to hope for a resolution that prioritises their health, safety, and the preservation of their land.
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