Crystallex Still Awaits Permit for Venezuela Mine, Company Says

Crystallex International Corp., owner of the Las Cristinas mine concession in Venezuela, denied a news report that it had received an environmental permit for the site. ``We do not have the physical permit,'' spokesman Richard Marshall said in a phone interview from Toronto. ``We are still awaiting issuance of the permit without guidance on timing.'' Crystallex shares rose yesterday after Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela-based newspaper Correo del Caroni reported that the permit had been issued. The stock rose 40 cents, or 22 percent, to $2.18 in American Stock Exchange composite trading yesterday.