how about this theory as to why we dont have a permit...
venezuela was up placers butt to open LC when gold was $250-300oz. because it employed people who could'nt make much at illegal mining..
when gold started to skyrocket to $1k venezuela could make more with illegal miners and started one of the largest "artisan miner" campaigns ever...
now that the environmental damage is unprecedented and the easy gold is getting rare venezuela is ramping up a new plan....