VHeadline guest commentarist Dan Russo writes: They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The pictures of what illegal mining has done to the Imataca region are a clear example of what a failed environmental policy, political in-fighting, and lack of social programs for extreme poverty have created.Most people don't know that Crystallex has been operating without incident in Venezuela for 16 years.
Contrary to what has been reported, Crystallex has a plan in place to environmentally mine the area and build a new reservoir and eco-system that will benefit the area for years to come. The trees that were destroyed in the area have absolutely nothing to with Crystallex, in fact, there are no more trees in the areas where Crystallex will be mining ... and this was due to illegal activities as well.
All requirements have been fulfilled .. so where is the permit?
Open-pit mining also known as open-cast mining and open-cut mining is a method of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open pit or borrow ... the procedure is used when rock or minerals are near the surface. Ortega de Carrizales is (or should be!) fully aware of this as her office, the Ministry the of Environment approved the EIS (Environmental Impact Study) in June, 2007.
Also, in June 2007, Crystallex posted bond, paid taxes and the government confirmed that ALL permit requirements fulfilled.
Certainly, Ortega de Carrizales wasn't sleeping during all this ... or was she?
Open-pit mining also known as open-cast mining and open-cut mining is a method of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open pit or borrow ... the procedure is used when rock or minerals are near the surface. Ortega de Carrizales is (or should be!) fully aware of this as her office, the Ministry the of Environment approved the EIS (Environmental Impact Study) in June, 2007.
Also, in June 2007, Crystallex posted bond, paid taxes and the government confirmed that ALL permit requirements fulfilled.Certainly, Ortega de Carrizales wasn't sleeping during all this ... or was she?
- Ortega de Carrizales' throw-away statement of not allowing open-pit mining in at this juncture is INSANE.
Right now Ortega de Carrizales is probably in violation of the current law and she should resign immediately, face termination or at the very least retract her statement.
Something tells me she is too pompous and callous to do any of these...
Chavez ... it's YOUR legacy ... NOT Ms. Ortega de Carrizales'
The bigger picture is employment, ceasing degradation from illegal mining, new infrastructure and showing the world that Venezuela is a place when foreign investment is welcome.
Right now,Venezuela has extreme poverty 27% (first half of 2007), high inflation (approximately 22%) and unemployment rate of approximately 9%. Believe it or not, these numbers are an improvement from a few years ago.
My point here is that the entire Venezuelan economy is built on, and depends on oil revenues which at the present time are favorable!
What happens if there is a "collapse" or a "bust" in this market ... Venezuela would see a depression like never before.
Why wait? Show the world that you can invest in Venezuela! Make it a place where not only mining finds it attractive, but hundreds of other industries as well.
Something tells me Ortega de Carrizales is not looking at the bigger picture.
Dan Russo
dtr1029@aol.com
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Venezuela is facing the most difficult period of its history with honest reporters crippled by sectarianism on top of rampant corruption within the administration and beyond, aided and abetted by criminal forces in the US and Spanish governments which cannot accept the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people to decide over their own future.
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