Military Operations Against Small Mining Considered Illegal In Bolívar State, Venezuela
Published by MAC on 2006-03-10Source: La Nueva Prensa and El Progreso
VENEZUELA
Military Operations Against Small Mining Considered Illegal in Bolívar State, Venezuela
by La Nueva Prensa and El Progreso, Venezuela,
10th March 2006
While artisanal miners continue to discuss a project to legalize exploitation of minerals and guarantee their rights to work, the Theater of Operations Number 5 has sent troops into the south of the State of Bolívar. The troops have been sent to evict the so-called "water miners" once the time limit set by the National Government has expired.
The General of the division, Wilhem Becerra, stated that between 400 and 500 troops were sent for operations of eviction and control of the areas which are being illegally mined. He explained that eviction operations in rivers Caura, Caroní, Aro, La Paragua, Cuyuní and the zone Icabarú are still active.
On March 10, simultaneous operations were started in Canaima and La Paragua, while in Icabarú, troops would arrive on the following Wednesday. He said that the troops are equipped with a technical support team which includes two fighter planes and twenty boats. What the military seeks is total control over the rivers. He also said that land operations will begin in the zone of El Manteco to try and find foreign citizens and children submitted to sexual exploitation, as well as the decommisioning of weapons through police operations.
For their part, artisanal miners anounced that they will continue in the zone until an agreement is made which benefits all the sectors. José Díaz, representative of the Union of Miners of the State of Bolívar, said that miners have agreed to present a report to the National Assembly warning about the impacts that these military actions could generate in the presidential elections this December.
"Between tomorrow and 11 March, 20-30 buses will be leaving for Caracas, where we will deliver a report to the President of the National Assembly explaining what impact this could generate during an election year, in a state where 80% of the population lives from small mining."
Díaz insisted on the incorporation of a Mining Project, designed by the artisanal miners during the 1st Meeting of Mine Workers which was crafted during the military intervention of the Regional Command #8 and the activation of the Theater of Operations #5.
This document states that the miners and buyers of gold and and diamonds should pay the full value of taxes, thereby avoiding tax evasion, and also permits the supervision and control of specialists of the Ministry of Environment and Small Businesses and Mines to counteract the environmental damage caused by over twenty years of illegal practices.
"We are willing to participate in the cleanup of the affected zones, but we urge that our right to work, reflected in the Organic Law of Labor in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, be recognized." Díaz also said that it appears "very difficult to imagine that miners accustomed to over twenty years of working in the mines will now change their jobs to begin to make teaspoons," referring to the proposals and alternative jobs presented by the regional government.
In relation to the number of ferry operators affected, there are no exact numbers, but it is calculated that approximately 100 barges work the rivers in the zone, each one with an average of 7 persons working on them, some with family groups of at least five persons.
The objective of the operation, according to the national government, is the environmental recovery of the entire zone, and the incorporation of miners who are willing to participate in work programs.
The indigenous leadership of the Pemón, Akawaio, Arawako and Kariña peoples of the Bolívar state have considered the high danger of the contamination of the rivers Cuyuní, Chicanán, Yuruari and Yuruán for the uncontrolled mining exploitation which is being carried out in the headwaters of these rivers.
The information was presented to the press and social groups by National Assembly deputy José Poyo President of the Sub-Comission of Participation, Rights, Obligations and Issues of the Indigenous Peoples, who affirmed that indigenous people of the south of the State of Bolívar are very worried about the problems that the rivers face, and that this situation affects human rights in the region.