At least four people died and more than 20 were wounded in clashes between groups of miners Thursday in a tin mine in Huanuni in the southwestern Bolivian province of Oruro, dpa reported. "We have information that we are receiving from various sources that there could be between four and six dead and over 20 injured," Juan Ramon Quintana, chief of staff to Bolivian President Evo Morales, said in a press conference. There were clashes between private-sector workers and members of the state-run Bolivian Mining Corp (Comibol) after an attempt by members of local mining cooperatives to occupy a key state-operated mine. Both sides tossed sticks of dynamite at each other and wreaked havoc in the local community. Quintana urged residents to remain in their homes. Worker leaders in La Paz denounced that there was severe property damage. "The information I have is that there are still clashes with firearms with the recurring use of dynamite," Quintana said.
