Iran mining uranium in Bolívar state - report

Experts from Iran with knowledge of the most uranium-rich areas in Venezuela are allegedly extracting the mineral under the guise of mining and tractor assembly companies, according to Spanish paper ABC. One of the front companies is cement manufacturer Cerro Azul in Monagas state, which has a budget of US$750mn, a disproportionate figure considering its production objective, according to the report. Planes are also prohibited from flying over the area where the plant is located, the report said. GOLD In addition, Iranian state company Impasco has a gold mining concession that provides easy access to the Orinoco river, but it is not on the list of companies that mine gold in Venezuela, according to the paper. Impasco, as well as handling a variety of minerals, is linked to Iran's nuclear program. This mine, which also has no-fly restrictions, is located in one of the most uranium-rich areas in Venezuela, according to the report. VENIRAN Tractor manufacture VeniRan, which is supposed to assemble parts imported from Iran, is also one of the companies used as a front for uranium mining, the paper said. "The small number of workers and the special security measures suggest another activity. With a double security fence, the outside is guarded by Venezuela's national guard. Part of the inside of the plant is only accessible to personnel from Iran," the paper said. In 2007, experts from Iran carried out a geological study for Venezuela's national geology and mining institute Ingeomin and found that there is also potential for uranium in the El Baúl region of Cojedes state.