THE HANDSTAND

DECEMBER 2005



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Thursday, November 03, 2005

Philippino investors to buy "substantial gold mine" on Isla de Margarita?

http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=46704

VHeadline.com mining & resources correspondent David Coleman writes: In a curious press release reaching VHeadline.com from the Mindenao Gold Mining in Manila, the Philippino company claims that its "major shareholders" and "a private investment group" are currently negotiating the acquisition of a substantial gold property in Venezuela.

The release describes the mining property as the Grand Pacaraima located in southern Venezuela near the borders of Brazil and Guyana (incorrectly stated as as Guiana) ... allegedly "a concession was granted in 1981 for 40 years" and 3.5 x 3 kilometers (approximately 4 square miles).

"Reserves have been estimated at US$580 million based on 80.86 g/t or 2.6 oz/t.  Concession, exploration and development agreements have already been executed on the principal mine. There are five different strike zones that have been sampled on the elevated volcanic igneous property plus three other potential mining sites nearby."

With remarkable ignorance of Venezuelan geography the press release continues that "development of the mining property located in the State of Nueva Esparta will be commenced with a core sampling analysis."  Adding that "one of Latin America's leading finance companies specializing in mining development is expected to participate in the development program."

  • "Based upon completion of the transaction Mindenao Gold Mining would propose a name change and discontinue any future development program in the Philippines."

VHeadline.com has unsuccessfully tried to contact Mindenao Gold Mining's stated contact person, Mr. Dodong Abelino for further clarifications as to the exact location of a supposedly thriving 4 square miles gold mining resource on Isla de Margarita ... i.e. Nueva Esparta State off Venezuela's Caribbean coast!


'Abushed'
- by Ian Reed -

Though he violated the bride of Baghdad,
He plans to "stay the course" and will not part,
Clings to the body he so basely had,
Exploiting all her pipeline may impart.
He delves the precious resources within
The rolling dunes he took possession in
And will not, though she fiercely claw at him,
Either acknowledge or confess his sin.
Though long since humbled in his loving rite
(For blood's diverted from its natural flow),
He still insists on torture, divine right
Of kings who conquer with half-hearted blow.
Unmanned is he yet stubborner becomes,
Refusing to get out until she comes.

November 2005

'Poetic Injustice,' a collection of verse about the U.S. invasion of Iraq,
is at
http://www.ReedandWrite.com


A Matter of Values

The passing of a beloved, old friend ...

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr Common Sense.

Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was. His birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered for having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies: - don't spend more than you earn, and reliable parenting strategies: - adults, not kids, are in charge.

His health began rapidly to deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place:

- Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate;

- teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch;

- a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student.

Issues such as these only worsened his condition.

Mr Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge financial settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on, if not, join the majority and do nothing.

From: Margit Alm - margalm@bigpond.net.au