To add some more icing to this pie in the sky scenario...

It is my understanding that one of the biggest problems in the "reconversion" of the mining sector was how to handle the displaced miners. Obviously you can't just go in there...kick out Pedro, Manuel & Hor Hay and a couple thousand of their friends and then have them read in the local paper about the multinational(s) given the green light to start large scale mining. There might be rioting...or worse..they could even close Highway 10. Some finesse is required. Finesse possibly defined by:

1. Pay off the "excess" miners and relocate them to other industries

2. Come out with a law that publically screws all mining entities including the big multinational employers, thereby putting the worker on the side of the employer\multinational.

3. With a deal (possibly) already having been hammered out behind the scenes with the multinationals prior to the announcement of said law....have Hugo ride to the rescue with previously referenced fanfare and flapping of lips to announce that the law will be changed to require only 50% (the terms of the agreed to behind the scenes deal and equal to the much feared but now embraced 'joint venture') of the gold be sold to Banko Venezuela (in lieu of 70%) thereby allowing the miners to continue feeding their families whilst having the gringo genuflect to the altar of the Bolivarian Revolution.

4. Further incite the roaring approval of the gathered miners by announcing the start of the Las Cristinas Project and the creation of even more mining jobs on the terms of the Bolivarian Revolution (i.e. "joint venture") as dictated by Hugo Frias Chavez.

It could happen. Then again....they are probably just stupid moronic A-holes and we're totally screwed.