The National Assembly of Venezuela unanimously approved a new mining law to facilitate foreign and private investment in the mineral sector.Acting President Delcy Rodríguez championed the reform after US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum signaled interest in the local gold market.This legislation replaces 1999 regulations established under Hugo Chávez and introduces independent arbitration to protect international companies.The reform establishes a 13% royalty rate on production and sets severe prison terms for illegal extraction in protected areas.