"So there are three scenarios in my view, 1.Cooperation of multiple miners, 2.Consolidation of juniors under NOT, 3.Buyout of strategic junior(s) by a major."

Simply add an "s" to the majors at the end of your last post and you have covered all the basics. It is that simple in broad perspective.

The Cooperation currently should be between Explorers, to be followed by Cooperation between the Entities Financing and Developing the Consequent NEW Mines. Competition is good but Cooperation is equally beneficial. Both can co-exist and be very healthy.

The Consolodation factor will be interesting to observe. Who Consolodates Juniors, WHEN, and with WHAT Share Holder Value Benefit is the/a Big Unknown at present. And to varying degrees will be a very large part of the Speculation for some time into the future. There also likely will be three phases of Consolidation. At the Exploration Stage (currently the Focus), Just prior and during the Initial Development Stage (likely being discussed and prepared for by both some of the Current area Junior Explorers as well some Larger Entities looking to be in the fore front of arranging Development Financing and or the actual Initial Development),

and finally, Buy Out's of Strategic Juniors (also in it's initial consideration/planning phase at present, but there will be several if not many Buy Out's over TIME as Mine Developments occur and then again much later as Developed Mines (their Owners) seek to further increase Efficiencies/Profits from Operations and extend Life of Mine/Plant once the RoF Mining Camp begins to Mature - this is into the distant future but will be something many of the potential Financiers/Initial Developers will have some mind to considering even at present).

Old Joe

PS: No Asides to make today! ???