Silicon valley, a financial minefieldAndrew Cecil, the South Africa-based director of companies behind the New Zealand silica mining venture. LUC GNAGO The South African directors behind a proposed silica mining venture in Southland once struck a deal with Liberian President Charles Taylor. The money went into a Dunedin law firm's trust account and was spent on the exploration permit, legal fees, travel expenses and other costs, he said. Meanwhile, the silica project had struck a major problem. Separately, mining organisation Stratarra's chief executive, Chris Baker said there was additional burden in mining silica because there was no shortage of the mineral.

Source: Stuff June 18, 2016 17:03 UTC