It is my understanding from the VHeadline people that the meeting with Chavez occurred and that the outcome was positive for Las Cristinas.

Ortega just decided to preempt him. I have also learned that Ortega is married to the VP and may be a proxy for the VP to ruffle Chavez. The VP's ambitions might be at the root of all this. It has been explained to me that there is no way this open pit thing will stand. The whole country would come to a standstill if that were the case. Not withstanding the fact that the locals are going to have a referendum which will squarely allow the permitting.

It is not a matter of if the permits will be granted but simply when. I'd say in the next 2-4 weeks.