Plunge in mining company shares show vulnerability to politics

Then there is Crystallex International Corp., whose shares have also plunged nearly 60% in the past 12 months. The emerging gold producer's Las Cristinas property in Venezuela is expected to commence production in 2009 at an initial rate of 300,000 ounces annually, according to Canaccord Adams analyst Wendell Zerb. But while the company said in June, 2007, that the requirements of its environmental permit had been fulfilled, continued development and production require receipt of the permit, which has not happened.