Could the Extraordinary Day which is about to occur on Nov 25, the day, Ricardo Gutierrez talked about in his Oct 11, 2007 interview-

Ricardo Gutierrez: "Yes, the President could even lead a special event there at the mines, and not only give the definite approval for the Las Cristinas production to get started, but that he will also inaugurate a broader, more general project, because it's not just about mining at Las Cristinas, but also in a wide geographical area where there are similar problems to those at Las Cristinas."

Ricardo Gutierrez: "They are pleased, but we have to satisfy some demands. That's why we are talking about an integral plan, not just for Las Cristinas, but for all the productive, mining sectors. You know that sector is very poor and disenfranchised, it has many economic and social problems, and Crystallex has been doing excellent social labor there, and that helps a lot."

I believe today's news is more than issuing 6,000 bonus cheques to the small miners which are several years overdue. The timing of the bonus cheque distibution, a few days ahead of the election, with the cast of Sanz, "Rangel the Rascal" who signed off the MOC, and others in attendance leads me to believe they will announce who will be mining LB & LC. The latter part of the article covers off a broader plan for mining in Ven with social programs, housing and education which is probably what Gutierrez was referring to awhile back.

"In this way, the National Government seeks to ensure that only men and women who worked artisanal mining as a means of livelihood for their families receive payment of this bonus only, avoiding the presence of people without being miners seek inappropriately this benefit, he said.

He also recalled that the Mission Piar was created by the national
government with the intention to organize small-scale miners and
mining and to ensure better living conditions.

It also seeks to promote sustainable development in mining
communities, diversifying the sources of employment and improving services, housing and education, explained the official.

Another of its efforts aimed at assisting artisanal miners in
community organization in associations and cooperatives operating in compliance with legal and environmental regulations in force, said.

These partnerships can then receive contracts of the Venezuelan State for activities ranging from mining to recover controlled areas tapped by the man at the headwaters of rivers and natural forests."

Is Fung flying south to Venezuela for Nov 25?