National Guard says that illegal mining has decreased in Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

CARACAS, Tuesday August 23, 2011 | Update 1'

National Guard says that illegal mining has decreased in Venezuela

General-in-Chief Henry Rangel Silva (the Strategic Operational Commander of the National Armed Forces) said that thanks to the work of the Executive Office in the fight against illegal mining, the "mafias" of illegal mining have been spotted and reduced. "If these mafias act somewhere, we will be there to halt their activities"

Mining

General-in-Chief Henry Rangel Silva, the commander of the Strategic Operational Command (CEO) of the National Armed Forces, highlighted Tuesday that the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) has given top priority to dialogue as an approach to put an end to illegal mining and regularize the situation of people exploited by mining mafias.

Rangel Silva said in an interview with state-run TV network Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) that illegal mining has been approached by the army with a social twist, which has allowed the FANB to determine the real situation of people forced to work in such activities.

More:
http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/23/national-guard-says-that-illegal-mining-has-decreased-in-venezuela.shtml
Opposition newspaper