Usar p⁄gs xvii-134 - ResearchGate

Venezuela has an environmental penal code to punish those who contaminate the environment, butthere are no standards for mine reclamation and bonds are low. 103 For example, according to its 1999annual report, Hecla Mining Co. set aside $0.5 million for reclamation and environmental remediationof its La Camorra mine in the Guayana region. 104 It is difficult to evaluate whether this amountis adequate without reviewing the company’s reclamation plan. However, mining companies in theUnited States typically post reclamation bonds totaling between $5 and $50 million, depending onthe size of the mine. 105Summary and AnalysisGold and diamond mining is a relatively marginal activity in the Venezuelan economy, and productionhas been declining due in part to low prices on the international market. However, mining doesprovide a livelihood for local populations in the Guayana region and it will likely continue to play arole in the regional economy. The challenge is to maintain the benefits of mining for local populations,while ensuring that the region’s forest ecosystems remain intact. High levels of rainfall makethe task more difficult. Basic issues associated with mining (acid mine drainage, metals management,solid waste management) require well-planned strategies and proper monitoring to preventlarge-scale degradation of the region’s natural resources.However, Venezuela may not have adequate administrative and legal conditions to ensure that miningdoes not damage the forests of the Guayana region. Evidence suggests that small-scale mininghas already resulted in significant negative impact to some forests and watersheds, although it is difficultto quantify the extent of the damage across the entire region. Although Venezuela has a penalcode to hold companies and individuals accountable for damage to the environment, it is not clearhow this law would be applied to companies whose assets are held primarily outside of Venezuela.The apparent absence of adequate reclamation bonds may mean that Venezuelan citizens would bearthe brunt of any required clean-up costs if a company were to neglect its environmental responsibilities.Finally, the ability of the government to administer the required level of monitoring and controlis questionable, given the state of recordkeeping on mining concessions and corporate partners, andthe lack of environmental permits for many concessions and contracts in the region.64