Cigarsailor, I agree with you, but I will also say that it is all in how they present it.

If they wait and wait and wait for Newmont and then come out and say 'gee whiz I guess Newmont just doesn't want a piece of this, so we will take 100% of it forward' the market will probably read between the lines and believe that if Newmont believes this is small potatoes than it must be.

But if we come out and say 'You snooze you lose, the deadline passed and we are taking 100% of this projext as is our right' than I would be pretty happy.

To me, it looks like we are waiting, and to me waiting is only good if they partner up. Because waiting and not partnering makes it look like we are desperate.

The deadline is obviously passed, lets stand up and walk away if they aren't going to dance. Then we can pick our own partner if we choose or go alone if we choose. But we choose.

Just my opinion.

jjissel