What do you think about the MOA. Do any of the clauses (new environmental laws or policies=force majeur) (all legal situations relating to the contract to be handled in VZ courts) weaken our position?

While I agree with you that it probably won't go as far as arbitration, I still think that the treaty could influence the outcome. VZ is apparently taking cognizance of the potential cost of violating these treaties.

It really may come down to the environmental reality.

Environmentally: Is it better to stop all mining and leave nature to repair the damage?

Is it better to stop mining and start some kind of remediation immediately?

Is it better to mine carefully and use some of the proceeds to do the best possible remediation afterwards?

We will be on firmer legal footing re: arbitration if our kind of mining and remediation can be shown to be environmentally as good or better than the first two possibilities.