"company now considers only projects that have received government environmental licensing."
Therefore we are not being considered by Vale because our governments are dragging their feet with regard to permits. Could many other 'Biggies' be of similar opinion aquisition wise? I think Baosteel is not in for aquisition but to just secure a source of supply.

Yes I said plural permits.
Environmental permit is not going to happen IF the infrastructures are not also permitted. The construction of roads, rail and power lines, their bridges, clearing and modifying the land to allow for all those do affect the environment, so it is all part of the same package.

Politicians like to sound off as if they are doing what is needed but when it comes to actually performing we get the wait and see or it is up to the other guy.

Not enough vote for them to do the right and timely thing or to be fore sightfull enough and lead the way, as imh opinion, they should.