Venezuela combat illegal exploitation of coltan
thursday, 05 of 2009 of noviembre

05 of November 2009, 13:05 El Palomo, Venezuela, Nov 5 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela launched Operation Blue Gold today to fight the illegal exploitation of coltan, a strategic mineral used in new technologies from missiles to cell phones.

The country's vice president and defense minister, Ramon Carrizales, oversaw the start of operations in southern Bolivar state, near the borders of the Amazon region where coltan in abundance, according to the official said.

In this regard noted that currently is taking control of the area and explores options for future legal exploitation of the mineral, which is considered abundant in the Venezuelan Guayana, one of the oldest regions of the planet

Oro Azul is part of an operation across Venezuela's western border that mobilizes more than 15 thousand National Guard troops, the Army, Navy and Air Force to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a meeting with local and foreign journalists accredited to Venezuela, Carrizales said parallel operations take place in Zulia, Tachira and Apure.

In the Sierra de Perija, Zulia, is seeking potential coca crops or other plants used to produce drugs in Operation Sierra 21, which four years ago established the absence of coca cultivation in the country.

In Tachira, where on Monday killed two Guardsmen attacked by paramilitaries, "he noted, the goal is to pursue and neutralize rebel groups seeking to destabilize the national government.

In Apure is carried out Operation Boquete, to identify and destroy clandestine airstrips used by drug traffickers to get drugs from Colombia and bring them to the U.S. and Europe.

For his part, General Carlos Mata Chief, Operational Strategic Command chief, said that authorities have located some 80 illegal tracks in the country will gradually be destroyed as part of operations.

The actions are also aimed at defending the environment against the destruction caused by illegal mining.

In particular the case of Carrizalez said Yapacana nearby park, a natural monument, natural severely affected by this activity and where, he said, there must be a permanent unit and create special operations school in the National Guard.

http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=135053&Itemid=1