Hollund’s recent press release dated 2/20/2014 announced that ANAM (Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente) granted the remaining necessary permits, allowing for Bayano Lake Wood Products (BLWP), Hollund's Panamanian partnership with B&B Madera, to officially begin logging operations at Bayano Lake. Yet, we were told infrastructure development was nearly complete and logging was set to commence back on 11/26/2013
http://ih.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=60168758
So the question is, why the delay? What happened that caused Hollund to resubmit for a permit they already said they had. I believe I can suggest an answer to this question based on the issues of worker compensation and safety. We know underwater timber harvesting is dangerous when only human divers are involved. And, Hollund intends to start operations using Kuna divers. We know the Kuna are well trained and experienced in underwater timber harvesting, because of work performed by The Beck Group in 2008 (I posted about this earlier on this board). We also know Coast EcoTimber employs experienced Kuna divers in their operations, and the number of divers they use has likely increased due to orders CET received from Asia
http://www.bcbusiness.ca/natural-resources/co...motherlode
However, accidents still happen, and the number of experienced divers is likely very limited. I therefore suggest Hollund may have resubmitted to ANAM for a new permit that includes a greater safety and compensation package for the Kuna divers. I suggest this hypothesis based solely on supply and demand. If Hollund was ready to start logging at the end of December or early January, and decided to resubmit for a new permit they already had, it may have been to improve safety and compensation in order to lure experienced divers from CET to their own operation (this would or could be written into the permit).
Hollund has stated repeatedly that they wish to work with the Kuna (and any other indigenous people involved in any other operations) to enrich and improve their lives. Hollund has also stated they do not wish to simply “cut and run.” Instead, they wish to build a relationship that will endure over time. This may be why tilapia farming has already been mentioned in regard to the Lake Bayano project. The Kuna people rely on tilapia for sustenance as well as income, and Lake Bayano is very dear to them. It also would not surprise me to hear that schools and businesses were part of the equation. So the Kuna could continue to prosper once logging operations conclude (although this should be years in the future)
If I am right, we should hear about this soon. After all, the middle of March is just around the corner.
