Politics puts a damper on the Venezuelan coal industry, but hope for expansion is still alive

摘要

Due to pre-election, political sensitivities in Venezuela the development of the Socuy project may be on hold for the time being, but those in the coal business continue to be optimistic that Venezuela's coal industry will grow into a world class operation during the next 10 years. "Elections come and elections go, but we believe coal is a thriving industry in Venezuela, destined to grow," one source told Coal Americas. Venezuela's Carbozulia signed a memorandum of understanding with CVRD in 2004 to develop the Socuy project, which included plans for developing rail transportation and the construction of a direct loading facility to be named Simon Bolivar port. CVRD asked Carbozulia to acquire all of the necessary environmental licenses and permits.