City of Potosí

• Management systems/management plan
• Mining
• Surface water pollution
• Potential degradation of the historic site by continued and uncontrolled mining operations in the Cerro Rico Mountain
• Instability and risk of collapse of the Cerro Rico
• Deficiencies in conservation: special attention required for the restoration and upgrading of structures with residential use and the archaeological industrial heritage
• Inefficient enforcement of protective legislation
• Environmental impacts on the hydraulic complex which in turn affects historic fabric and local population

• Instability and imminent risk of collapse of the Cerro Rico’s summit
• Lack of conservation policy of integral character which considers all the components of the property
• Deficiencies in conservation: special attention required for the restoration and upgrading of structures with residential use and the archaeological industrial heritage
• Potential degradation of the historic site by continued and uncontrolled mining operations in the Cerro Rico Mountain
• Inefficient enforcement of protective legislation
• Threatening impacts of climatic, geological or other environmental factors

Adopted, see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6969

Adopted, see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6969

Adopted, see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6969

Total amount granted: USD 10,000 for a World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS technical mission in 2005 financed by the Spanish Funds-in-Trust for World Heritage

On 15 February 2018, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/420/documents/ and responds to Decision 41 COM 7A.23, and to the updated set of corrective measures, providing the following information:

• The State Party reiterates its commitment to implement the set of corrective measures within the timeline approved in Decision 41 COM 7A.23 and presents a workplan under four themes: mining productive heritage; environmental heritage; archaeological, architectural and urban heritage; limits and regulation. The most significant advances were achieved in the preparation of the legal and operational framework for the management and conservation of the Cerro Rico, the elaboration of the Integrated and Participatory Management Plan (IPMP) and the definition of the buffer zone;
• The Ministry of Mining and Metallurgy, through the Mining Corporation of Bolivia (COMIBOL), issued a report on the Integral Management of the Cerro Rico de Potosí in October 2017 that presented a geophysical study, and proposals to implement the relocation of miners above the 4,400 m.a.s.l. limit. This report also noted that new mining production contracts are issued within the framework of the established work plan, and safety and environmental standards. In addition, the Ministry of Mining and Metallurgy presented a draft Supreme Decree in January 2018 that would establish permanent mechanisms and legal instruments for the conservation of the morphological structure of Cerro Rico, and foresees the implementation of a Conservation Plan based on the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). The Ministry of Cultures and Tourism supports the decree, which, at the time of the report, is still in the analysis phase within the government;
• The development of the IPMP has advanced thanks to the participatory workshop held as part of the October 2017 technical mission, in which the various institutions involved in the property’s management and conservation participated. The mission resulted in the definition of the methodological strategy for the IPMP’s elaboration. Working groups were established for each of the plan’s six thematic components: mining heritage, environmental heritage, industrial archaeological heritage, architectural heritage, urban heritage, and intangible heritage. It was agreed that the overall goal of the IPMP would be to respond to the corrective measures and indicators defined in the DSOCR over the established 5-year timeframe. It will involve inter-agency work, coordinated by the Ministry of Cultures and Tourism. The State Party’s progress and the first draft of the IPMP were discussed and further advanced with the authorities concerned in the May 2018 technical mission;
• The technical work involved in the clarification of limits and definition of buffer zones, coordinated by the Autonomous Departmental Government of Potosi and the site manager, is in progress. A first draft of cartographic and topographic information was expected in December 2017;
• The preparation and implementation of conservation and restoration works of industrial, architectural, monumental heritage, public and urban spaces, as well as improvements to urban infrastructure, will be included in the IPMP.

The State Party’s report, as well as the outcomes of the recent technical missions in the framework of the International Assistance granted for the property, demonstrate its commitment to implementing the corrective measures adopted in Decision 41 COM 7A.23. It is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to continue their implementation along these lines. The design of the IPMP around the corrective measures is a promising strategy in this regard. The adoption of the corrective measures, of the DSOCR and the advice of the technical missions have helped to streamline the State Party’s efforts in a more coordinated and sustainable manner.

The results of the October 2017 technical mission provided a solid base upon which the IPMP will be elaborated and finalized, with the commitments and participation of all involved actors, at different levels of government. The information provided on the IPMP reflects a well-considered methodology that takes into account the distinct needs of the diverse components of the property, and is directly linked to the objectives established in the DSOCR. More detailed information of the IPMP’s status were presented and discussed in the May 2018 technical mission, and it is recommended that the Committee urge the State Party to submit the draft IPMP as soon as it is available to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies. 

It is also recommended that the Committee take note of the advances regarding the delimitation of the property’s buffer zones, and reiterate the urgency of finalizing and submitting the proposal of a Minor Boundary Modification.

Regarding the implementation of the other corrective measures, the State Party should provide more complete information on their advances, including the relevant reports, legislation, policies, etc. mentioned in the state of conservation report, particularly regarding the Integral Management of the Cerro Rico de Potosí of October 2017 to allow for a fuller understanding of the current situation of the management and conservation of the Cerro Rico and the relocation of the miners.