Unfortunately, if the Chinese wanted to buy us out, they could do it for much less than what would be paid in another country, another situation. They'd only be bidding against themselves. Nobody else is jumping into this mess

Not that it is a desirable (or necessarily profitable or doable) outcome...but KRY still has arbitration left as an alternative to the China deal. If you were China weighing possibilities, which of the following four options would be preferabe (presuming, of course, that "China has Hugo by the balls"and the permit is obtainable and Las Cristinas can be mined profitably):

1. Walk away for 5-10 years and hope KRY goes bankrupt

2. Go thru with the deal as is (dirt cheap ounces in the ground)

3. Screw KRY and work a deal direct with Hugo notwithstanding the negative legal and reputational implications

4. Offer a wee bit more up front for the additional 1\3 of the mine and buy KRY out completely (again....dirt cheap ounces in the ground)