Stu here is a quick translation of the original opinion piece from aporrea.org, and while there is some whining about unspecified transnationals that take advantage (who would that be, Rusoro?) the final conclusion is sensible: Why not encourage a decisive boost in gold output in the southern Bolivar?

Miners must exercise control of gold

By: Manuel Figuera (Alcasa worker)

Since the implementation by the National Government Caura Plan in April this year in the gold-mining areas of Bolívar State, has led to a discussion of their implementation and consequences, that following a move from any point of view, the evidence repressive and without proposals, to seek opportunities for sustainable development on the exploitation, processing and marketing of gold, which in response to the miners and communities as well as to the underground economy that is generated from time immemorial on this activity.

Now, this measure makes us think that this policy interest improvised response to lack focus and brings a new failure, as Piar Mission, established on September 26, 2005, "to achieve sustainable development in mining communities and dignity and quality of life of small-scale miners and shaft covering Upata - Km 88, Santa Elena de Uairen Axis - Icabarú, Eje La Paragua - Alto Caroni River Axis Aro - Guaniamo. "

As part of the blunders, from June this year, workers of the transnational Roscio municipalities, El Callao and Sifontes, took to the streets in protest to seek work tables are installed in the Central Bank headquarters in Caracas and can be amend Resolution No. 06/03/1909 June 2009 and can match the 50/50 parity for private companies and is currently joint ventures and state.

This resolution provides that mining companies should allocate the domestic market, at least seventy percent (70%) of its total gold production, caused in each calendar quarter, within the national territory, in this respect, a sixty percent (60%) will be offered for sale, necessarily to the Central Bank of Venezuela and a ten percent (10%) will go to the national processing industry. These figures are calculated on the weight in kilograms of molten gold produced or refined in accordance with the rules governing the matter.

The statutory instrument also states that 30% may be exported, however the Central Bank may authorize or deny the marketing to the outside as set out in handbooks or the priority given by the board of the Institute.

The "Chinese" Khan, Minister of Basic Industries and Mining (Mibam) in recent visit to El Callao, said the Central Bank of Venezuela is studying the possibility of modifying the resolution of trading of Gold and its alloys, providing answers to Recent protests made by the workers. We wonder. Who benefits from this measure?, Of course to the transnationals. These transnational corporations are taking advantage of the needs of working people for jobs and use their ability to mobilize to defend the interests of the employer, who is only interested in extracting gold and leave us to the peoples of the south, the famous "little mirrors." As small-scale miners, the National Commissioner of Mines (Mibam), Laura Paredes, announced "that once you start the second phase of the Caura Plan in late July, the agency's action will begin work in other tributaries and rivers that do not directly affect the watershed in which mining equipment will also be evicted because they are not duly authenticated, be renewed environmental permits Biscaitarra area, tin, Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Evidence, and Las Apanao Eight flowers.The 83, 343 hectares Mibam has arranged free and small-scale mining. "We ask again. In what environmental impact study are based authorities to assert that environmental permits renewed not affect the forest ecosystem? ...

In short, the national government lacks a coherent policy for the exploitation of gold to make clear starts and setbacks, in initiatives that conflict with social and environmental reality that is around the use of the riches of the jungles of Guyana.

We would first say that the mining policy for balanced and sustainable development of gold can no longer be designed in four walls in Caracas and then come to try without criteria, and then reviewing the surveys of public opinion, this practice is harm from any point of view, when not taken into account all those who live in Bolivar State in participating in the proposal, planning, implementation and monitoring of public policies that directly affect the environment around us. This active participation should begin to organize the miners in a training program for socio-political-productive, permitting a critical understanding of mining activities and their participation in the change of reality.

Second has to unify the development and creation of laws and regulations governing mining activities; approach where the allocation of concessions for mining sites belonging to the population, and which use is intended to meet the collective needs of communities, because so far it is intended to change the model and that is a repetitive error, we must change the system. We must do an exercise with the miners, nearby communities and municipal governments to build a socialist proposal.

It is the capitalist mode of production that prevails in the administration of mining claims and the proof is the model of contracts with transnational corporations that own the majority stake and Venezuela is relegated to a minority, not the case of concessions oil, iron, aluminum, where the state law takes most of the investment and consequently the production management. This would be a qualitative step to be taken into account in the reform of mining legislation of gold, that would permit a change to root, giving the people of Bolivar State in its various expressions and using various methods of consultation to build a comprehensive mining policy .

So do a social audit test wonder. Who controls the gold in and out of the Central Bank of Venezuela?, Why do you use the gold from the mines of Guiana and that belongs to all Venezuelans? And finally, why are not encouraged a decisive boost gold throughout southern Bolivar state?.

http://www.aporrea.org/