CARACAS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's rich natural sources, specifically mineral reserves, allow investors to recoup their investment, a Venezuelan minister said.
"If you make an investment, it is surely going to be recovered because we have minerals, gold, coltan, diamonds and with enough reserves to recover any investment," said Venezuelan Minister of Ecological Mining Development Victor Cano in an interview with Xinhua.
On Wednesday, the Venezuelan government launched its National Mining Plan 2019-2025, which forecasts revenue for some 33 billion euros (37.4 billion U.S. dollars) by prioritizing the exploration of 13 categories of minerals out of a total of 40 that Venezuela has.
Venezuela has 1.2 trillion euros (about 1.36 trillion dollars) worth of mineral reserves, according to statements by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The mineral exploitation will go in parallel with environmental protection, Cano said. "To achieve this goal, one of the main things we must protect, above all else, is the environment."
However, a difficulty facing the plan is fighting against a discrediting campaign, "in which Venezuela is not capable of doing anything and demonstrating to national and international investors that Venezuela is a country where investments can be made," Cano said.
Investments in the mining sector will benefit both the investors and the country, he said. "What we will always protect is that these investments (do) not go against our judicial framework or selling out the fatherland."
Cano noted that Venezuela will take advantage of its mineral reserves to "make the most of that enormous potential" in order to leverage other economic sectors in the country.
"The important thing is to monetize these reserves that are in the ground and extract a portion of them to generate riches and a healthy economy for Venezuela," Cano added.
