Bolivia is planning to showcase seven “world-class” mining projects in Toronto, Canada, at PDAC 2026, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s 2026 Annual Convention. The move is intended to court foreign direct investment (FDI), seek public-private partnerships, and rebrand Bolivia as a destination for responsible mineral exploration and mining development.
Reintroducing Bolivia to Capital Markets
Country representatives will exhibit these prospective Bolivian mining projects during the PDAC convention, considered by many to be the premier mining event of the year. Scheduled for March 1–4, 2026, in Toronto, the PDAC attracts company executives, investors, government officials, Indigenous leaders, researchers, and service providers from across the mineral exploration and mining sector for four days of investment meetings, technical presentations, and networking.
Showcasing these Bolivian mining projects is part of a renewed effort by the country’s government to become a dependable link in global mineral supply chains, especially those tied to the energy transition. The initiative will also aim to strengthen Bolivia’s standing among international mining investors.
Putting Bolivian Mining Back on the Map
At a press conference on Thursday, Bolivia’s Minister of Mining and Metallurgy, Marco Antonio Calderón de la Barca, said the government had narrowed down a list of 28 prospective projects to seven “high priority” opportunities.
“This is an opportunity to put Bolivia back on the mining map,” Calderón said. “There will be eyes from all over the world on us. We have attracted significant international interest in Bolivia’s current political transition and what credibility investors are giving Rodrigo’s administration.”
Minister Calderon used the phrase “asking for money” three times to emphasize that the Bolivian government wants partnering companies to see Bolivia as a serious contender for investment dollars, not just another country simply begging for donations.
“We are going to Canada to offer Bolivia,” he said. “We are going there as partners to offer responsible mining investment in Bolivia. We want to promote public-private partnerships. We want access to financing. We want technology transfers to the Bolivian mining sector.”
Calderon said representatives from the Bolivian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce would be assisting Bolivia’s delegation and have already scheduled meetings with mining companies and investors interested in learning more about Bolivia. Due to high demand, the organizers of Bolivia Day had to increase capacity at the last minute.
The Projects
Minister Calderon said the Bolivian mining projects were chosen based on geological potential, early exploration results, economic impact, and importance to worldwide demand for critical minerals and strategic resources. Here are seven of Bolivia’s priority projects:
Two of Bolivia’s Priority Projects Are in Santa Cruz
Both Bolivian mining projects are located in Santa Cruz and have reportedly generated “spectacular” results to date. Cerro Manomó and Rincón del Tigre are known to contain base metals. Early assessments also indicate the potential presence of strategic minerals that many Western nations require more secure access to.
Speaking on background, a senior official with Bolivia’s state mining company said:”
What minerals? Tin, Silver, Antimony, and Tungsten are just a few examples.
“It is no secret that decarbonization policies, electric vehicle mandates, renewable energy targets, and the desire to ‘friend-shore’ critical mineral supply chains have pushed demand for these minerals to record highs.
A mining industry analyst from Canada with expertise in Latin America said:
“We’re seeing renewed interest in countries that have stable political systems and undeveloped mineral prospects. Bolivia falls into that category. Compared to its neighbors, Bolivia has been significantly underexplored by international companies.”
Bolivia Wants Responsible Mining Investment
Minister Calderón highlighted another important criteria: responsible Bolivian mining investment.
“We want investment —but responsibly. With care for our people and our beautiful countryside. Mining cannot damage our environment. It has to bring prosperity to local communities, and it has to operate within the full framework of our laws.”
In particular, Bolivia will promote:
- Mitigation of Bolivia’s historical environmental legacy
- Transparency in permitting processes
- Free, prior, and informed consultation with affected communities
- Water stewardship
- Industry best practices on worker and industrial safety
Government officials say future Bolivian mining contracts will also have built-in mechanisms to ensure communities see the benefits of extractive projects. Such provisions have historically been absent from mining contracts in Bolivia, contributing to tensions between miners and local communities.
Canada’s Exploration Industry Open for Business
Canadian mining executives and analysts have also noted Bolivia’s efforts to strengthen ties with Canada and other mining nations.
Canada hosts thousands of the world’s mineral exploration and mining finance companies. By proactively reaching out to Canadian firms, Bolivia also hopes to:
- Attract investment from new FDI sources
- Decrease dependence on traditional extraction and export markets
- Access world-leading exploration tech
- Upgrade Bolivia’s geological mapping and data
Bolivia is also working to embed itself in Western governments’ plans to build resilient global supply chains. Due to geopolitical instability and macroeconomic shocks over the past two years, many Western nations have scrambled to identify alternative sources of critical minerals.
A Foreign Ministry official said:
“We see PDAC as one pillar of a multilateral strategy to re-engage with Bolivia’s traditional partners and open new doors. We want the world to see Bolivian mining as a historical producer of minerals, but we also want to position Bolivia as a country with important mining projects for the future.”
Showcasing seven priority projects is just one way Bolivia hopes to generate interest. In the coming years, Bolivia could stand to gain:
- Export revenues
- Jobs
- Regional development, especially in energy-rich Santa Cruz
- Tax revenues and mining royalties
- Infrastructure investment
Mining accounted for more than 13% of Bolivia’s exports last year. However, officials believe more can be done to attract investment and modernize the Bolivian mining industry. Part of that plan includes continuing to explore Bolivia’s vast and historically underexplored territory.
Building for the Future
Bolivia’s Ministry of Mining and Metallurgy has said it wants to:
- Update Bolivia’s national geological surveys
- Promote joint ventures with private investors
- Build domestic capacity for mineral processing
Officials have made it clear they plan to encourage investors to operate mines in Bolivia and add value before export. Currently, many mines in Bolivia export concentrates abroad for processing. Adding mineral processing facilities in Bolivia would keep more capital in the country and further diversify the industrial sector.
Look Ahead: Investment Momentum
Calderon closed his remarks by saying mining investors are slowly taking notice of Bolivia and its political shift.
“Bolivia has been renewed,” Calderón said. “Investors can see that. They understand Bolivia is serious about working with them. That is going to make a big difference.”