IN STEREO

I was born here in Potosí; my parents are also from the city of Potosí. From their ancestors, they have always been linked to mining activity, on both my father and mother’s side. I had a childhood in very extreme situations, all because of the issue of the mineral prices falling sometimes, because that is what sustains us all. Mining is a person’s livelihood and the whole society is dedicated to that activity. My older brothers comment that they have had better luck – they have had a much more comfortable economic situation. Certain things have not happened to them, that happened when we were kids. Because back then my father was ill with mine disease, and that is what generated health problems, and the economic problems that come with them. Because it’s not only the medical assistance – the insurance is not sufficient.

It’s not enough, at least in the mining sector. For a long time, and [still] nowadays, it is somewhat discriminatory, when medical care should be more open. It should assist the miner, with a greater possibility of access so that he can be cured or at least treat his illness with less trauma, because that is what is generated. This is not my situation, one I’ve been through, but I have seen it because I have been linked from a very young age with mining institutions. It’s been 35 years that I’ve worked there. So I have a fairly close relationship and a very close experience of mining activity – of the cooperative sector, more than anything. Because there were other people who were salaried miners of the state, and they were more lucky. – Luis