+++ GoverGovernnment Cancels Mining Concession to Save Nature Reserve

The government announced it will cancel the mining concession granted to Maverick SA, a subsidiary of Vancouver-based SilverCrest Mines Inc, because of allegations that it was exploiting a nature reserve. If mining the 945-acre El Ocote concession in western Honduras was allowed to go ahead, the El Guisayote, a biological reserve could have suffered major damage. The government decision comes after thousands of local residents protested that the mining activities could pollute local waters and lead to deforestation. Source: Honduras Canceling Mining Concession, Reuters, 07/06/04: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040706/ap_on_bi_ge/honduras_mining_rights_1