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City of Potosí

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Factors affecting the property in 2018*
  • 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
  • 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
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
Corrective Measures for the property
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2018

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 2018
Requests approved: 5 (from 1988-2015)
Total amount approved : 83,777 USD
Missions to the property until 2018**

May 1995 and November 2009: World Heritage Centre technical missions; November 2005 and February 2011: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS technical missions; December 2013 and January 2014: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring missions; May 2017: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS technical mission; October 2017 and May 2018: Technical missions facilitated by the World Heritage Centre

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2018

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.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2018

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.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2018
42 COM 7A.8
City of Potosi (Bolivia, Plurinational State of) (C 420)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.23, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Acknowledges with appreciation the State Party’s commitment to implementing the corrective measures to achieve the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and encourages the State Party to continue working towards their effective implementation within the established timeline;
  4. Takes note of the progress achieved in elaborating the Integrated and Participatory Management Plan (IPMP) for the property, as facilitated by the two recent technical missions, and urges the State Party to submit the final draft to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, as soon as it becomes available;
  5. Also takes note of the advances in elaborating a proposal for definition of the property’s buffer zone, and also urges the State Party to submit a final proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification, in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
  6. Requests the State Party to provide complete and clear information on the progress in implementing the entire set of corrective measures, and include the relevant reports, legislation, policies, etc. mentioned in its 2018 state of conservation report, to allow for a fuller understanding of the current situation particularly regarding the management and conservation of the Cerro Rico and the eventual relocation of miners above 4,400 meters;
  7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, 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 43rd session in 2019;
  8. Decides to retain the City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
42 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/18/42.COM/7A, WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add and WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add.2),
  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 42 COM 7A.1)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 42 COM 7A.2)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 42 COM 7A.5)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 42 COM 7A.8)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.45)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 42 COM 7A.9)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.46)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.47)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.48)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.49)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.50)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.51)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 42 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.44)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.40)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 42 COM 7A.18)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.19)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 42 COM 7A.20)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 42 COM 7A.21)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 42 COM 7A.22)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 42 COM 7A.23)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 42 COM 7A.24)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 42 COM 7A.25)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 42 COM 7A.26)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 42 COM 7A.53)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 42 COM 7A.13)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 42 COM 7A.14)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 42 COM 7A.15)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 42 COM 7A.3)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 42 COM 7A.54)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 42 COM 7A.27)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 42 COM 7A.29)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 42 COM 7A.28)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 42 COM 7A.10)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 42 COM 7A.11)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.55)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 42 COM 7A.6)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 42 COM 7A.41)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 42 COM 7A.30)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 42 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 42 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 42 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 42 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 42 COM 7A.35)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 42 COM 7A.16)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 42 COM 7A.7)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.56)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.42)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 42 COM 7A.4)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 42 COM 7A.12)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 42 COM 7A.37)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 42 COM 7A.38)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 42 COM 7A.39)
Draft Decision: 42 COM 7A.8

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.23, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Acknowledges with appreciation the State Party’s commitment to implementing the corrective measures to achieve the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and encourages the State Party to continue working towards their effective implementation within the established timeline;
  4. Takes note of the progress achieved in elaborating the Integrated and Participatory Management Plan (IPMP) for the property, as facilitated by the two recent technical missions, and urges the State Party to submit the final draft to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, as soon as it becomes available;
  5. Also takes note of the advances in elaborating a proposal for definition of the property’s buffer zone, and also urges the State Party to submit a final proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification, in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
  6. Requests the State Party to provide complete and clear information on the progress in implementing the entire set of corrective measures, and include the relevant reports, legislation, policies, etc. mentioned in its 2018 state of conservation report, to allow for a fuller understanding of the current situation particularly regarding the management and conservation of the Cerro Rico and the eventual relocation of miners above 4,400 meters;
  7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, 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 43rd session in 2019;
  8. Decides to retain City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Report year: 2018
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Date of Inscription: 1987
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)
Danger List (dates): 2014-present
Documents examined by the Committee
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2018) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 42COM (2018)
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.


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