Rusoro's CEO Andre Agapov says laws limiting exports to half of gold production were detrimental to foreign companies and were hurting job creation efforts.

"The current resolution is to the detriment of Rusoro and other gold mining companies," Agapov said in an interview. "Venezuela is the only country in the world where the exports are restricted."

In 2009 President Hugo Chavez announced the creation of a joint venture between Venezuela and Russia to develop Las Cristinas' estimated reserves of 17 million ounces.

That envisioned the participation of Rusoro, which is owned by Russia's Agapov family and already runs mines in the South American country.