Between Mining Exploitation and Heritage Protection: The Case of Cerro Rico in Potosí, Bolivia

Abstract

The Cerro Rico de Potosi (Sumaj Ork’o) has the quality of being a Natural and Cultural Heritage of Humanity, declared in 1987 by UNESCO, however, during the last years its exploitation has increased to a level never seen before; which has brought the loss of its conical structure and subsidence of considerable dimension, putting at risk of loss not only to that quality, but all the history that encloses its splendor. Its history is a reflection of the failure of Mining Law in terms of its restriction of care in the case of historical monuments declared by law, and a manifestation of the enormous institutional weakness to enforce the special regulations for the protection of the site by the Bolivian State, however, a hope arises, from the flank of Environmental Law, in relation to the enjoyment and care of this natural heritage, for future generations, through exploitation with a vision of sustainability.