The country's central bank-owned Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) is the sole buyer, refiner and exporter of gold, but has at times struggled to pay producers.
Global gold production fell by 3.8 million ounces in 2020 as covid-related disruptions in South America more than offset gains in Russia and West Africa.
Operations at the Fekola mine, 20 kilometres from the Menankoto permit and projected to produce 530,000 to 560,000 ounces of gold in 2021, have not been impacted.
Bolivian lawmakers are debating a bill that would allow the country’s central bank to boost its gold reserves via purchases from bullion produced in the country.