For what it is worth:

I was told that IFFCO would fund the cost of producing and / or beneficiating the rock, and that the preparations for getting this started would begin in February.

Regarding the negotiations, they said that they are at the end of a due diligence initiative that has been going on for months, and news may be forthcoming. Yet, this is the fourth or fifth time they have been down this road and the other negotiations fell apart for one reason or another. They also said they have a few other interested companies behind the current prospect. This may be true ... in which case we may still be at the cusp of a funding deal.

If these are lies, we have strong grounds for a class action law suit. Only time will tell.

My money is still tied up here, and at this rate I am riding this pony to the conclusion of the story.