China, Bolivia agree on closer coordination, consultation in mining

China and Bolivia on Friday agreed to establish a mechanism to promote bilateral coordination and consultation on joint mining projects.

The agreement was made during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia Wu Yuanshan and Bolivian Mining and Metallurgy Minister Cesar Navarro.

Wu, accompanied by a sizeable delegation of Chinese investors, said more than 10 Chinese firms were working on major projects throughout the South American country.

As an initial step to consolidate the coordination and consultation mechanism, he requested Navarro to put together a team of Bolivian technical experts to hold a seminar for the investors and relevant embassy staff on the country's Mining and Metallurgy Law, which went into effect a year ago.

The seminar would help Chinese and Bolivian business leaders organize permanent coordination and evaluation meetings on projects, Wu said.

Navarro welcomed the growing presence of Chinese firms in Bolivia, saying the date of the seminar would soon be announced.

A Bolivia-China mining chamber was expected to be formed within the framework of the new law, he added.

"Holding a seminar on the mining legislation will allow us to create a platform for closer ties between our countries," the minister said. Endi