India, Jan. 6 -- The United States has its eyes on the vast mineral wealth of Venezuela. Its Orinoco belt holds the biggest oil reserves while the Guiana Shield holds some of the biggest gold deposits. But if prospectors come to the Guiana Shield, will they also target a certain peak which once inspired one of the most popular science fiction works of all time?

The peak in question is Mt Roraima. According to the National Trust of Guyana, Roraima, "the highest of the Pakaraima Mountain range in South America, is a part of the ancient Guiana Shield. This mountain contains some of the oldest geological formations known to man dating back to almost two billion years. It was once part of Gondwanaland before tectonic activity separated the co...