City of Potosí
Factors affecting the property in 2016*
- Management systems/ management plan
- Mining
- Surface water pollution
- Other Threats:
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
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- 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
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
- 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
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
In progress
Corrective Measures for the property
In progress
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2016
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.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2016
Total amount approved : 83,777 USD
2015 | Elaboration of the integral and participative ... (Approved) | 29,992 USD |
2010 | Technical assistance for the preservation of the Cerro ... (Approved) | 26,285 USD |
1994 | Restoration of mural paintings in the Church of La ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
1992 | Conservation of the Kari-Kari Lagoons (Not approved) | 0 USD |
1991 | Mission to advise on the measures to be taken for the ... (Approved) | 5,000 USD |
1988 | Advise the authorities on the elaboration of a ... (Approved) | 7,500 USD |
Missions to the property until 2016**
November 2005 and February 2011: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS technical mission; December 2013 and January 2014: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2016
On 23 February 2016, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/420/documents, and presents progress as follows:
- The Bolivian government is currently developing an Inter-ministerial Resolution for the “Creation of a Management Committee for Cerro Rico of Potosí”, along with its operational regulations, in coordination with the Ministries of Mining and Metallurgy, Environment and Water and Cultures and Tourism;
- Regarding the works for the stabilization of Cerro Rico, the Autonomous Government of the Department of Potosí identified financial resources for the application of dry filler. However, the State Party emphasizes the impossibility to implement any stabilization measures as long as the mining activities at the mountain are not halted and the social issues solved;
- A number of actions were launched in view of the adoption of a new legislation, which will take into account the relocation of miners and the reinforcement of the moratorium. These actions, still under negotiation process, include the inventory and analysis of mining cooperatives above 4,400m, the inspection of the mines located in risk areas and relocation of miners. It is expected that the new Management Committee will bring them forward in an integral manner;
- Regarding the Management Plan, the Emergency Committee has proposed a set of rules for the creation of a Supra Organic Management Body who will have as immediate objective the development of an Integral Management Plan for the property, including Cerro Rico, the Historic Centre, the Ingenios Valley, lakes and cultural landscape;
- A civil strike between July and August of 2015 prevented the implementation of the International Assistance granted for the elaboration of the Management Plan and the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). The definition of the buffer zone to visually protect sensitive areas around the property is conditioned by the development of a land use regulation for these areas. These two actions are considered as a priority by the State Party;
- In December 2014, the State Party formalized into law the former Municipal Regulations for the Preservation of Historic zones of City of Potosí (Municipal Law 055/2014). Within this framework, in 2015, the Municipality of Potosi restored many churches located at the Historic Centre and has also planned studies for the restoration of other churches in 2016.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2016
The efforts made by the State Party to develop coordinated actions for the conservation of Cerro Rico of Potosí, in particular by the creation of a Management Committee for Cerro Rico of Potosí along with its operational regulations are welcomed. However, it should also be noted that the creation of this Committee should be harmonized with the initiative to create a Management Body that cover all the components of the inscribed property in order to ensure the integral protection of its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
There are some encouraging initiatives regarding the management of the Cerro Rico and the stabilization of its summit, such as: the identification of financial resources for the stabilization works at the sinking areas of Cerro Rico by the Autonomous Government of the Department of Potosí , the process to develop a New Legislation to solve the issues regarding the relocation of miners and the moratorium for all exploration between altitudes 4,400m and 4,700m, and the implementation of several actions such as the inventory and analysis of mining cooperatives above 4,400m, the inspection of mines located in risk areas and the relocation of miners. However, the report lacks specific information on the results and impact of all these actions, and the fact that the current situation of the stabilization of the summit of Cerro Rico remains unresolved should be noted with extreme regret.
The Integrated Management Plan for the property, as well as the DSOCR and a set of corrective measures, need to be elaborated as a matter of urgency. Therefore, it is regrettable that the State Party was not able to develop these essential tools with the International Assistance granted for this purpose.
The proposal of a set of rules for the creation of a Supra Organic Management Body for the development and implementation of an Integral Management Plan which includes all attributes and components of the property (Cerro Rico, the Historic Centre, the Ingenios Valley, lakes and the cultural landscape) is considered as an essential progress to be achieved to ensure an effective management system for the property. The land use regulation for the property and its surrounding areas and its socialization with the communities before the establishment of the buffer zone for the property is of upmost importance.
The approval of the Law for the Preservation of Historic zones of City of Potosí (Municipal Law 055/2014) is welcomed. In this sense, the restoration works implemented in many of the churches located in City of Potosí in 2015 and the initiative to further develop studies for the restoration of other churches in 2016 is noted, though it would be advisable to develop an integral conservation strategy before further works are implemented.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2016
40 COM 7A.1
City of Potosi (Bolivia, Plurinational State of) (C 420)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 39 COM 7A.44, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
- Welcomes the efforts made by the State Party in view of the establishment of a Supra Organic Management Body to ensure an effective and integral management mechanism for the property and its components and urges the State Party to finalize
- Notes with concern the standstill of stabilization works at the summit of Cerro Rico and also urges the State Party to take all the necessary measures to proceed with the stabilization works;
- Further urges the State Party to finalize the process to adopt a new legislation to address the issue of the relocation of miners and enforcing the moratorium for all explorations between altitudes 4,400m and 4,700m;
- Regrets that the State Party was not able to develop a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) nor the Integral Management Plan in the framework of the International Assistance granted by the World Heritage Fund;
- Reiterates its requests to the State Party to develop as a matter of urgency, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a proposal for the DSOCR and a set of corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
- Requests the State Party to establish a clear management structure for the property, with appropriate articulation between the various bodies and committees, to urgently proceed with the elaboration of an Integrated Management Plan, and to include in this process the elaboration of land use regulation for the property and its surrounding areas in order to define a buffer zone to protect the visually sensitive areas around the property;
- Notes with appreciation the approval of the Law for the Preservation of the Historic Zone of City of Potosí and also requests the State Party to develop an integral conservation strategy before implementing any major restoration works at the property;
- Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
- Decides to retain City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
40 COM 8C.2
Update of the list of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/16/40.COM/7A, WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add and WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add.2),
- Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 40 COM 7A.26)
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 40 COM 7A.27)
- Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 40 COM 7A.32)
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 40 COM 7A.1)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.34)
- Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 40 COM 7A.2)
- Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.35)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.36)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.37)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.38)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.39)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.40)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.41)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 40 COM 7A.9)
- Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.43)
- Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 40 COM 7A.28)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.33)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.48)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 40 COM 7A.10)
- Iraq, Hatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.11)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 40 COM 7A.12)
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 40 COM 7A.13)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 40 COM 7A.44)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 40 COM 7A.6)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 40 COM 7A.7)
- Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 40 COM 7A.45)
- Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 40 COM 7A.14)
- Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 40 COM 7A.15)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 40 COM 7A.3)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 40 COM 7A.4)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.46)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 40 COM 7A. 30)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 40 COM 7A.49)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 40 COM 7A.16)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 40 COM 7A.17)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 40 COM 7A.18)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 40 COM 7A.19)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 40 COM 7A.20)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 40 COM 7A.21)
- Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 40 COM 7A.8)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 40 COM 7A.31)
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.47)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.50)
- Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 40 COM 7A.5)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 40 COM 7A.23)
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 40 COM 7A.24)
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 40 COM 7A.25).
Draft Decision: 40 COM 7A.1
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 39 COM 7A.44, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
- Welcomes the efforts made by the State Party in view of the establishment of a Supra Organic Management Body to ensure an effective and integral management mechanism for the property and its components and urges the State Party to finalize this process;
- Notes with concern the standstill of stabilization works at the summit of Cerro Rico and also urges the State Party to take all the necessary measures to proceed with the stabilization works;
- Further urges the State Party to finalize the process to adopt a new legislation to address the issue of the relocation of miners and enforcing the moratorium for all explorations between altitudes 4,400m and 4,700m;
- Regrets that the State Party was not able to develop a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) nor the Integral Management Plan in the framework of the International Assistance granted by the World Heritage Fund;
- Reiterates its requests to the State Party to develop as a matter of urgency, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a proposal for the DSCOR and a set of corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
- Requests the State Party to establish a clear management structure for the property, with appropriate articulation between the various bodies and committees, to urgently proceed with the elaboration of an Integrated Management Plan, and to include in this process the elaboration of land use regulation for the property and its surrounding areas in order to define a buffer zone to protect the visually sensitive areas around the property;
- Notes with appreciation the approval of the Law for the Preservation of the Historic Zone of City of Potosí and also requests the State Party to develop an integral conservation strategy before implementing any major restoration works at the property;
- Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
- Decides to retain City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
![](https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/thumbs/site_0420_0003-376-200-20151104160303.jpg)
Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.