TSJ Constitutional Chamber declares MINCA Las Cristinas shelter inadmissible

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, February 28, 2003 By: David Coleman

Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) Constitutional Chamber has declared inadmissible one of three shelters introduced by Mineras Las Cristinas, C.A. (Minca) against an unavoidable execution of a November 6 (2001) administrative act which declared the rescinding of Minca's 1992 work contract at the Las Cristinas 4, 5, 6 and 7 goldmines.

TSJ file 02318 has now been irrevocably sealed by the decision of the court following a similar ruling of inadmissibility by the First Administrative Court of Appeals. A further ruling to close file 03138 referring to a constitutional shelter lodged by Minca is now deemed without merit since Minca had not lodged any appeal.

According to the files, the shelters had been aimed at trying to neutralize the administrative process by which the Venezuelan Guayana Corporation (CVG) had terminated Minca's work contract because of a string of breaches of contract.  CVG president, Major General (ret.) Francisco Rangel Gomez says that the corporation will continue to act in defense of the interests of the Republic of Venezuela inasmuch as here is valid legal reason why the contract was terminated after more than 10 years without fulfilling contracted investment and operational agreements.