TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada’s Rusoro Mining Ltd RML.V said on Tuesday it has been awarded more than $1.2 billion by a World Bank tribunal that ruled Venezuela had unlawfully seized the company’s gold assets four years ago.
Shares in the Vancouver-based mining firm, which is backed by Russia’s Agapov family, more than doubled on Tuesday, trading for as much as 32 cents – their highest level since Venezuela’s asset seizure.
Rusoro, whose shares had a market value of C$83 million ($64 million) prior to Tuesday’s rally, was one of about 20 Canadian miners and other international firms that filed complaints with the World Bank’s International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, or ICSID, over Venezuela’s action.
Rusoro, which was the largest gold miner operating in the South American country before the asset seizure, said the ICSID determined that Venezuela had unlawfully expropriated the company’s investments without paying compensation.
ICSID representatives could not be reached for comment. The organization’s website confirmed that a final ruling in the case had been issued on Monday, but did not provide details.
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