Brian,
Again, I don't think the locals will pose as a problem. However, I would like to comment on some of the points you made.
1. <...AND securing the property regardless of whatever insignificant amounts are being taken(stolen)>
I am not sure in what sense you meant "secure", but from what I understood, I can say that STS should not have any problem in claiming the land as theirs. They bought it, that's it, and the locals know it and probably knew about a long time ago. As far as your comment on the gold being "stolen", I must say that they are living on that land, and if they had to survive by selling what they found, that is their right- and no one can say a thing about it. You would be appalled if you saw how they live. Regardless, STS should benefit them (as I said earlier).
2. <Western companies are unable to deal with issues of corruption, security and even violence which "come with the territory". It is one thing for the principals of STS to negotiate and purchase properties from(often corrupt) governments, is it yet another to secure the properties and bring them to production. Even if STS does take care of the gov't, what about local chiefs and warlords who also claim title to the land(not to speak of the actual local miners)?>
I wouldn't worry about the corruption. I wont comment on whether it is still "rampant" or not, but one of President Kabila's government's aims is to get rid of it. Recently, anyone found being implicated in corrupt practices has been punished (taken out of the post and sometimes jailed). Examples are the head of the "Office de Biens Mal Acquis" (Office of Ill Acquired Goods) and the former head of the Intelligence Agency. I must assure you that there are no warlords there, and the local chiefs wont pose a problem if they are taken care of appropriately.
That's my view on what you said. Also, I would like to know which parties are involved in keeping the price of the stock down???
Thanks
Imran |
