US Authorizes Dealings with Venezuelan Gold Mining Company

License issued after Interior Secretary meets with Venezuelan officials and US mining companies

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The U.S. government has issued a license that authorizes dealings with Minerven, Venezuela's state-owned gold mining company. This comes after U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met with Venezuelan officials and representatives of over two dozen U.S. mining and minerals companies that previously operated in Venezuela. The license aims to advance the Trump administration's plan to gain more control over Venezuela's natural resources, particularly in the face of China's influence.

Why it matters

This move by the U.S. government signals an intent to exert more influence over Venezuela's lucrative mining and minerals sectors, which have long been controlled by illegal groups. It also reflects the administration's broader strategy to counter China's growing hold on critical minerals globally.

The details

The license issued by the U.S. government allows dealings with Minerven, Venezuela's state-owned gold mining company. It comes after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez and representatives of over two dozen U.S. mining and minerals companies that previously operated in Venezuela. Burgum said the Venezuelan government provided security assurances to these companies interested in investing in the country. The license specifically prohibits people and companies from Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba from engaging in contracts with Minerven.

  • On March 6, 2026, the U.S. government issued the license authorizing dealings with Minerven.

The players

Doug Burgum

U.S. Interior Secretary who met with Venezuelan officials and U.S. mining companies.

Delcy Rodríguez

Acting President of Venezuela who met with Interior Secretary Burgum.

Minerven

Venezuela's state-owned gold mining company.

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What they’re saying

“Venezuela's government gave security assurances to mining companies interested in investing in the country, where mineral-rich areas have long been controlled by guerrilla members, gangs and other illegal groups.”

— Doug Burgum, U.S. Interior Secretary (wbal.com)

What’s next

The U.S. government will likely continue to monitor and exert influence over Venezuela's mining and minerals sectors as part of its broader strategy to counter China's global reach.

The takeaway

This license issued by the U.S. government represents the latest move in the ongoing geopolitical tug-of-war over Venezuela's natural resources, with the Trump administration seeking to gain more control over these assets and limit the influence of rivals like China.