Ecuador and Chile have resumed negotiations over a partnership to develop a major copper deposit.

The disparity in costs faced by different copper mining companies in Chile will be taken into account in an industry-wide royalty.

The rise in wildcat mining has seen Bolivia, a country of some 12 million people, become the world's top importer of mercury since 2019.

The company regards the Bonita zone as a "very high-priority drill target" that it plans to follow up on during the South American spring season.

Leaders from the Fuerabamba and Huancuire communities said they would allow the truce in exchange for a new round of talks.

Bolivia has the world's largest lithium resources but it has struggled for decades to mine them commercially.

Ventanas smelter and refinery halted to carry out maintenance after authorities declared an environmental emergency in the region earlier in the week.

Vale Ventures is starting with a $100 million budget to invest in firms involved in sustainable mining initiatives.