With the public furor over the brazen attempts by American Sam Holland to set up sand mining operations in the Layou River, in open defiance of the law, HonestDominica.com was able to obtain from a usually reliable source copies of email correspondence between Holland and one Donald Steinhagen of Phoenix Arizona.
These email exchanges, initiated by Steinhagen, took place between December 12, 2008 and February 02, 2009.
We reproduce the entire package which we consider to be of significant public interest mainly because of the insight that it offers into the credibility of Sam Holland as an investor and the naked truth it reveals about his current financial standing as a would be owner of quarrying operations in Dominica.
Read, digest and come to your own conclusions:
From: steinmining@yahoo.com
Subject: Aggpit Operations
To: holland@aggpit.comMr. Holland.
I am Donald Steinhagen of Steinmining in phoenix. On the 1st of Dec 2008 I contacted your company via your website requesting some basic information with regards to the status of your project in Dominica. I am willing to invest in your company once I am certain that your project is authentic and progressing according to plans. I am very disappointed that to date I have not received a response from your company. Please inform me if I am wasting my time in contacting you or can I take your non responsiveness to indicate that you are not interested in my investment.
A response from you would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Donald
To: steinmining@yahoo.com
Cc: FRANK KELLY ; Bob Rieck
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 4:33:52 PM
Subject: RE: Aggpit Operations
Donald, sorry about the delay in responding to your inquiry, we are a US company from Louisiana established in the same location for over 20 years with excellent credit, basically we have four opportunities available here on the Commonwealth of Dominica for debt investors equity may be available at later stages.
We have permits in hand for a large production quarry of 2,000,000 tons or more per year, this opportunity requires an investment initially of at least US$6 million.
We have permits in hand for our River dredging operation with no limit on time or production this opportunity will require initially about US $2 million investment.
We have an operating quarry which has been established for about 14 years which requires upgrading all its equipment at a cost of about US $2-US $3 million.
Our fourth opportunity 50 acre piece of land which has government permission to remove boulders which are highly sought after for sea defense work, this property would require an initial investment of US$1 million with additional monies needed to start crushing and processing.
If you have a further questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thanks
Sam Holland
Aggpitcaribbean Inc.
3 Franklin Lane, Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica. W.I.
local phones 1-767-440-5133 or 767-442-0507
US Fax 1-504-436-9458
US # rings in Dominica 1-617-275-4854
local mobile 767-275-1948
e-mail Holland@aggpit.com
web site www.aggpit.com
From: steinmining@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Aggpit Operations
To: holland@aggpit.com
Sam,
Thank you for quick response. I am assuming that the pictures of your crushing site is currently the most productive aspect of your investment. I would certainly appreciate some more information on the other opportunities which you are working on. Once we can come up with some favorable terms I am willing to invest in the initail stage at least US$1.5M with your company. If you could provide for me with some recent financial statements of the company’s operation as well as documentation indicating proof of ownership or lease aggreements of the various properties which are available to Aggpit it would go a long way in facilitating my involvement with your company. I would also appreciate if you would recommend a good attorney who would be able to prepare and authenticate the relevant legal instruments which would facilitate and protect my investment in your company.
Just for your information, I liquidated my mining company in 2005, and have since retired. My wife is interested in we purchasing property in the Caribbean region. for me it would make good business sense to invest a portion of my money in any Caribbean Island that I choose to settle. I hear that the weather in Dominica is great, with lots of rivers. We are currently planning our annual African vacation, and look forward to visting the Caribbean as soon as possible. I am concerned that air travel toDominica is not as easy like to most other Caribbean islands. However once the investment potential is good air travel will be a minimal concern to me.
Look forward to your prompt response
Donald
To: Donald Steinhagen
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 6:14:29 AM
Subject: RE: Aggpit Operations
Hi Donald, I just talked to someone at your house and they told me that you’re on your African vacation I hope you’re having a great time.
I got a message from the quarry that you’ve been trying to call me, at this point I am seldom at the quarry but should start being there more regularly by the end of this month.
If you would like to contact me please call me on my local cellphone here in Dominica number is 767-275-1948 or you can contact Bob in Louisiana at 504-436-9400
Thanks
Sam Holland
Aggpitcaribbean Inc
From: steinmining@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Aggpit Operations
To: holland@aggpit.com
Hi Sam,
It was good hearing from you. Unfortunately where I am now has a very difficult phone system, and it is better that I contact you by email for the time being. Just wanted to remind you of the documents you were supposed to send to me. I really want to know how feasible it is to invest with your company. I was promised certain documentation from you by the middle of January ’09 with respect to any lease arrangements or documentation indicating proof of property ownership by your company. Please don’t forget to send me these documents ASAP as was promised by you.
Do have a prosperous new year.
Donald.
PS Planning on being in the Caribbean very soon
To: Donald Steinhagen
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:37:37 PM
Subject: RE: Aggpit Operations
Hi Donald, good to hear from you hope you’re having a good time on your African vacation.
We should be in the River starting our dredging project within the next 10 days, getting full occupancy and control of the quarry is going to take a little longer than we thought, I’ll give you the details when you get here to Dominica, as soon as you have your schedule let me know when you will be here.
Thanks
Sam Holland
Aggpitcaribbean Inc.
From: steinmining@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Aggpit Operations
To: holland@aggpit.com
Hi Sam,
Exactly where will your dredging project take place? Please send pictures to show the current status of the river dredging operations set-up. I thought that you already had control of the quarry? Please remember the documentation that you promised. Sam, I really don’t wish coming to Dominica to waste my time. Can you give me an idea of a time when you can accommodate my visit to your facilities in Dominica? I will see if the time given can be fitted into my schedule.
Don’t forget to send photos of the dredging operations and well as the other documents that I have been promised by you.
Looking forward to hear from you ASAP
Donald
To: Donald Steinhagen
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 4:07:33 AM
Subject: RE: Aggpit Operations
Donald, the area on the attached drawing designated as the Shillingford operation is the area we will be dredging, we also have another section of the River east of the bridge going upriver this section is about equal in size to the area marked as Shillingford operation.
The current operator of the quarry is in default both on his quarry license which has been revoked and his lease, he’s being stubborn about vacating the property but it’s only a matter of time before he has to go, as soon as he is out which should be within the next 60 days we will move in.
Just a word to the wise, I understand you’re in touch with some other people here in Dominica be very careful in your dealings with this person.
Thanks
Sam Holland
Aggpitcaribbean Inc.
From: steinmining@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Aggpit Operations
To: holland@aggpit.com
Hi Sam,
Are you suggesting that I plan my visit to Dominica sometime after the next 60 days? Please confirm. You forgot to send me the pictures of the current status of the dredging operation in the Layou river.
I wasn’t aware that the Quarry operation did not belong to your company. Would you mind sending me the contact information for the current occupant of the Quarry so that I can make him an offer? Or would it be easier for me to contact him through my Dominican lawyer?
Sam I must say that for someone who is in need of investment you are not making requested information available. That may be sending the wrong message to your potential investors.
Looking to hear from you soon
Donald
ps: don’t forget the pictures of the dredging operation
To: holland@aggpit.com
Subject: RE: Aggpit Operations
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 12:02:51 +0000
Donald, sorry hit the send button by mistake.
Donald, as I had said in my last e-mail the current operator of this quarry is in complete default with both the government and the landlord, they have nothing they can make a deal with because they have nothing to sell other than smoke and mirrors, if you think you can make a legitimate deal with people like that then go ahead but be very careful you’re climbing a slippery slope.
That said Donald, if these are the kinds of people you want to deal with then, we may not be a good fit in a business relationship with you.
As far as taking so long to send you information, I want to send you information as soon as I have something solid to report, business in the Caribbean seldom moves smoothly, I don’t want to make the same mistake I made the last time and send you information that doesn’t pan out.
Thanks
Sam Holland
Aggpitcaribbean Inc.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Not the way to conduct business at all the letters to the investor are vague, lacking what the propsed investor has repeatedly requested very worrying indeed, if I was that investor I would drop it.
Personal deals are being made with resources that are truly Dominican….their pockets first and Dominica last. Who really cares about the people of this country? This is ashame, why we have to appear to beg from overseas while our resources are left to foreigners to make Millions…..who is really responsible to handle our affairs?..OMG..
Terry you have asked a very simple question, which is actually the question of the decade? No further comment.
This is the same Sam Holland we stood up to in Coulibistrie and I was castigated for it. As far as I know SALVATION in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only thing that "appears" too good to be true and isn't! Sam Holland's proposal was too good to be true and has proven to be…… It was olny a matter of time for us to be vindicated. I have absolutely no regrets and am darn proud of myself and my community.