Tens of thousands of independent Bolivian miners protested in La Paz on Tuesday over the nationalisation of the Colquiri mine, preventing them from mining the zinc and tin at the now state-owned pit.

The protest turned violent after a stick of dynamite exploded on the roof of a miners union office, causing the roof to cave in. One man was killed, one had his hand blown off, and another of the injured was a passer-by, said Deputy Interior Minister Jorge Perez.

The mine was nationalised in June by President Evo Morales’ government leading to weeks of clashes both in the capital, La Paz, and at the mine itself. Independent workers have repeatedly clashed with employees of the state-owned firm Comibol, which is now running the mine.

Negotiations are ongoing on Wednesday in a bid to end the clashes and pacify the independent miners. The government has today called a truce, in order to give them time to discuss the situation.