also remember that when valuing a potential mine, majors are still using gold prices in the $550 range
if they can guarantee healthy profits at that level
why would they be phased by giving a bonus back to the Ecuadorian people if gold went to over $1000?
ie if gold went to $1100 and gold base level set at $1000, mine pays 3-5% royalty on $1000 and 70% on $100
just trying to get some discussion going...
safeharbour