I tend to agree with that as well GW, BUT, we all know how Hugo thinks and operates don't we. Not rational.

Also we tend to put more emphasis on this gold mine than Vz does and the potential importance of the mining industry in general.

Don't take my opinion on this, ask Marshall where the industry is on Vz radar. It practically doesn't register GW. The contribution to the coffers is so small it doesn't get much attention as a potential solution to any of their financial woes. Even if developed it is so small in comparison to the oil side of things it probably still doesn't warrant much attention by the Big Cheeses in power to warrant the effort and money to develop. Those are facts, not assumptions. Our financial interest as shareholders makes this a bigger issue than it probably is down there as far as where it sits on the priority list.

Yes we get a bit of attention in the AN once in a while but the biggest return for Chavez politically would be to develop the mining areas with smaller operators run by Venezuelans or majority owned that would employ the most people.