Ivette Feliciano reported four new stories for the Worldfocus signature series, Bolivia Now. They’re airing all this week, but you can also watch them online, here.
Regarding the Signature story on the prospect of Lithium mining in Bolivia:
Ivette Feliciano speaks with a senior Bolivian Mining Official
The lithium is beneath barren salt flats…are there ecosystems there that will be affected by mining operations? Do you know what kind of mining operations (which mining methods) they need to use to get to the lithium? What is the current market like for lithium, internationally?
Feliciano: Lithium is beneath the salt flats. The only wildlife we saw were llamas and wild vicuñas, a smaller animal related to llamas. But they not on the barren salt flats. The details of mining operations are not solidified yet and, as you’ll see in the segment, are up for debate. Many economists and mining experts inside Bolivia and in other countries believe Bolivia does not have the resources or the know how to develop the industry. Lithium is used to make electric car and cell phone batteries, so the world is anxious for these details to be worked out in Bolivia, as the country is believed to have the largest reserves in the world.
Regarding the Signature story on Coca Farmers, and a new plan allowing coca production for non-drug use:
What kind of food is made from the coca leaf (you mention teas and pastas)–how is that processed? Did you try these? Also, the shampoos and toothpastes…are these commercial products, or homemade ones?
Feliciano: Coca has been a huge part of Bolivian indigenous culture for thousands of years. Pastas are really the only food I ever saw it used in, but I had coca mate (coca tea) pretty much everyday that I was there. It helped me when I had an upset stomach or when my system was adjusting to the high altitude in the capital, La Paz. People also chew the dried coca leaves as it has components that take away hunger. I believe the shampoos and toothpastes are mostly homemade at the present time, but these are products Bolivians are trying to develop for mass production.
Regarding the Signature story about landholding law changes for holders of large areas of ranchland in Bolivia:
How old is Larsen, the subject of your story? Does he do other beneficial things for the community?…What are the landholding laws in Bolivia like for expats, and can they remove Larsen just by changing those laws? Is that even a factor?
Feliciano: Larsen is in his late 60s. From what he tells us, his ranch had a school and church on the premises for the indigenous Bolivians working the land, but I know of no other community work besides the orphanage. As far as I know, there are no land laws specifically for expats. The land reform laws affecting Larsen are affecting other Bolivian landholders near the Caraparicito (Larsen’s ranch).
See these and other Bolivia Now stories on the Worldfocus website.
