mramirez@correodelcaroni.com

The head of the Central Bank of Venezuela and former Minister of Basic Industries (ex Mibam), José Salamat Khan, visited Friday Ciudad Guayana to present the project co-host of the highest monetary authority in the Caroni municipality, which are intended position to influence in policies that can lead mine production and, in this way, foreign exchange earnings.

"We need to give more guidance, more order, end the anarchy that is in the world of gold mining in order to create a transparent industry to help us change the old rentier model in which the Venezuelan economy has been mired long and turn it into a diversified economy that can earn foreign exchange from another source beyond oil (...) the BCV is committed to this people, "he said, from the office of mayor of Caroni, José Ramón López.

Recently, the National Executive made a number of changes to the mining plan. Among them: he ordered the transfer of the shares of gold state Minerven held by the Corporación Venezolana de Guayana (CVG) to the National Aurífera Company (ENA), of which 40% of the shares are owned by the BCV and the rest of Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA).

This instruction was published in a presidential decree, which was followed by the passage of the Mining Corporation of Venezuela to the Sector Vice President of Finance, and the appointment of Khan against the corporation, which manage a sector known by him, who was Minister of Industry in 2011, when President Hugo Chavez reserved to the State the exploration and development of gold and transnational forced to move to a mixed scheme.

"We are involved with the miners before the decree of appointment, because the BCV is assigned by law to the management of international reserves and gold is part of that, now by law we also assign the diamond as a reserve and we have a policy that we allow transparently acquire these minerals to strengthen our reserves, and more in a situation like we have now that require different sources of oil currencies. In that sense, we will be interested in participating in the real economy and created the ENA in which PDVSA and BCV are partners as it were assigned blocks miners whose production must ensure "he added.

Three stages
The former minister, who in 2011 promised alliances with artisanal miners to improve their quality of life, said production of minerals must be consistent with humans, so if considered addressing diamond "shape social "Guaniamo the diamond area, municipality Cedeño.

"It is impossible to solve the problem of mining only with the Armed Forces or the ministry which has the rectory, it is necessary that all ministries be heading because it is a social problem, must have decent sources of employment, health centers, centers Training and electricity, which in cities are normal, everyday ".

In the case of gold, he said, President Nicolas Maduro has insisted on the need to delve into the mining sector, "to produce the greatest amount of gold that the country needs", in a context of low production by state Minerven, whose plants have deteriorated and have been dismantled, and a tremendous anarchy in areas controlled by illegal mining.

The refloating of the projected gold production in three stages; the first, in compliance with the operation according to the installed capacity Minerven; the second, automation of a mining block Guasipati, municipality Sifontes, four blocks having ENA; and the third, double the production of Minerven.

This plan, estimated to be achieved in about three years, putting focus on the automation of mining lot. "But it's not just extracting the mineral, but remove conditions which respect environmental issues and serve as social development".

"Right now production is very low, there are many problems, requires technologically adapt these companies, ensuring that inputs from the standpoint of labor workers have shown their interest in recovering your company; followed in order for companies to be run by technicians and workers of the company (...) not any worker, a worker who has jurisdiction because it gives their academic preparation and experience. "

For the first stage, they said, has passed a point of waiting to be approved as soon as possible by President Nicolas Maduro. "In three years we have the results of automation (...) nobody should some unproductive mining companies, we are in conditions that allow us to be in the same way, I think there are some lessons learned and one of the things we learned we have to work together to fix things, you can not divide a cake if you have not actually have to do the cake and when you blow the candle is going to distribute ".

Fuga gold and 'swap'
in a mining context of increased lawlessness, despite unsuccessful start-up of five government plans, and the abandonment of state Minerven, whose low production has meant a global setback for the entire state south axis Bolívar, drain gold green roads and not many have been booming.

The director of the BCV said that the country's estimated 20 tons of gold per year gold production, only 800 kilograms were reported to the BCV at the end of 2014, less than a ton. "The rest goes to swell international reserves in other countries but we are working on that basis."

One way, he said, is buying gold miners and Minerven the System Marginal rate Currencies (Simadi) which closed Friday at Bs. 196.7 per dollar. The price, he said, allows miners yield a favorable return.

- What impact will for international reserves and economic stability operation 'swap' which manages the BCV?

- I will not talk about it, but 'swap' is 'swap' is one thing they do all banks. It is simply a financial business in which you carry gold to a site, you get your money and three months, you get back the gold. Do you ever have borrowed?

- Clear ...

- And you lost something, you have been violated in your mind, you have been violated in who you are?

- But there is a risk of losing the jewel, if not economically and now has stability.

- Nooo, and how are you going to lose? You do not work? If you insist something, you know you're going to pay, unless you're crazy. I will not borrow and put my apartment as collateral, knowing that I have to pay with. Venezuela has never had a 'default', right now rose bonds.

- Why the delay is due to the publication of bulletins inflation?

- I do not know, that pregúntaselo a director of the bank (BCV).

- That's what we're doing.

- I'm not allowed for that.

Khan is an economist and director of the monetary authority since 2008.