We tend to forget that GFI were also forced out of the mine they bought from Bolivar because of failure to get permits for water use. And that was an operating mine. I know that Russoro ended up geting that operaton and because they didn't have the cash to buy out GFI, Goldfields were forced into accepting RML stock, something I don't think they were all theat keen on...

Of course Hecla was forced out by the unions who were encouraged by Hugo to cause trouble; those same unions now find that government operation of the industries that caused to fail under Hugo's coaching, is actually worse than the companies they destroyed. They are finding it is far easier to destroy than it is to build, but Hugo of course needs scapegoats to explain away his government's gross incompetance..

Since then RML is finding problems getting final permits for their other mines and agreements and JV's announced with great fanfare, are still dragging on, so even they are not finding that being a "preferred partner" is getting them very far, despite their cheery PR's and the brave faces. Of the small amount of gold they produce nobody knows from their financials exactly how much the government is taking of their output. They quote ounces produced and operating costs per ounce, but nowhere is there a mention of the actual final realised price after the government takes its cut, but their bottom line is still showing a hefty loss.

Also there was a small mine run by the Chinese that they were forced to walk away from, so apparently being Chinese doesn't solve Venezuelan problems either.

Despite all Hugo's grand announcements on joint venture banks and investment from Russsia, Cuba, Iran etc. just how many of these have actualy delivered. My guess is very few, if any. Iran's government has lots of internal problems, Cuba is virtually broke and Russia can't even fund their own offshore oil ventures and need private companies for expertise and capital. Yet Hugo goes on, but the devil is always in the details and Hugo always wants more than he is prepared to give, even with his "partners". Add an incompetant government, corrupt officials militant unions and internal political turmoil, and you can see that almost nobody is being treated any better than KRY and GRZ in Venezuela.