"It's Robber's Roost. We should expect an offer any day now!"

Yes, the odds for that happening quite soon are overwhelming, given that the pent-up demand from "international miners" just has to be huge.  I say that because I have not found an instance in the last twenty years where an "international miner" has entered into a partnership with an explorer having no proven asset.  They must be desperate to make such a deal after all this time.  

Meanwhile, smaller companies are finding money, doing deals, and contracting with drillers.  What's wrong with them?