Time to evaluate a closed sand extraction



CUMANA .- The Act of Exploration, Exploitation and Utilization of Non-
Metallic Minerals by Spaniards could be reviewed this year.

The People's Power Ministry for the Environment (Minamb) and the
Office of Mineral Resources of the state of Sucre began discussions
on the rule that governs the extraction of sand and stone, among
other minerals in the body.

Ruben Aparicio, director of Minamb-Sucre, reported that the reunion
with the directors of the Regional Office of Mineral Resources, and
representatives of the Prosecutor Fundambiente Environmental Juan
Carlos Bastardo, they discussed issues of mutual interest in terms of
how to handle standard criteria and common aspects of control,
surveillance and environmental monitoring and issuance of permits.

On these issues, an agreement was reached on the need to amend the
Law on Exploration, Exploitation and Utilization of Non-Metallic
Minerals of Sucre State, published in June 2006 and that in the
opinion of the representatives of the Executive Minamb and regional
stresses the tax aspect and not considering the environmental issue.

Both institutions will continue with discussions in order to meet the
urgent demand for permits investors who made applications for renewal
of operating last December to operate and sand quarries, Aparicio
said.

"Be more restrictive permissions, requiring a greater willingness to
meet the environmental demands implicit in the Act. We discuss the
possibility of periods of closure for the extraction of sand, and
considered the need for the law to be faithful to their discretion to
distribute the taxes to municipalities and not just get caught in the
governance of the state of Sucre. "

Undoubtedly, the law deserves to be amended, added Damelia Castillo,
director of the Office of Mineral Resources of the state of Sucre.

"We try to unify under a single government scheme, aimed at
achieving, to the control of mining and a social objective and
verifiable."

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