I think it is important to put things in the big picture. Who wins if there is no mining in this area? No one, not the environment, not the people, and not the shareholders.

If we all look at Chavez nationalization scheme, he has done this out of frustration. With oil nationalization was done to get a better deal for his people, since before oil companies were getting a sweat deal. With CANTV, Chavez saw them as U.S. propaganda. The Cement and Steal, Chavez saw inefficiency in operations, as well as the sell of product out of Venezuela.

If Chavez does have a problem with mining it is the environmental issues, and those concerns are mostly with small miners. The environment is actually in a no win stituation already, its ruined. I can't see the government spending millions/billions to clean it up.

JMHO