The consolidation question is simple. Yes! BUT, How to arrive at an acceptable arrangement? and, Who is involved in a consolidation? and, For what (as in what assets - aka Land/Property)?

Any company being consolidated will want to know the value of thier property involved in the consolidation as will the resulting entity (be it another company or a newly formed company, etc.). Who? and When? is too much for me in the big picture here. With respect to just DE it is clear right now that PRB and/or FNC will have to gamble one way or the other. Noront has GOODS and may or may not need the adjacent properties (Will depend on where their DE1 deposit goes) as dictated by whoever eventually ends up owning the DE1. I can't see a Major buying one property with part of DE1 on it and not getting all of DE1. That would cut into the rationality of paying top dollar for 2/3 or even 8/10 of the single deposit, as whoever holds the remaining portion can be a pain in the proverbial Butt. It also makes the economics less attractive to some extent if two mines are developed on the same deposit where one would do. The smart thing to do does not always come easily!

As for DE1 Tonnage, read some of my posts on the NOT forum and you will see that I firmly believe they have found the extention/step out/source/strike direction (call it what you may) after hole #12 and the size now is very clearly unlimited. I am trying to state things conservatively/cautiously/rationally so as not to develop a hype disposition on the DE1 potential. Keep in mind that we (non company personnel) do not know much of the local geological/chemical/physical characteristics in and surrounding the DE1 mineralization, NOR does anyone truely and/or fully understand the broader area in these respects either. The general info available (mineral types, grades, drill intersept lengths) suggests there are many and varied mineralized anomolies in several areas of the 'Ring of Fire' and many more other anomolies yet to be tested by drilling. Thus, potential is abundant! The causal event is for the academics over the following decades and centuries.

The only difficult guesses outside DE1 is: Which anomolies? Who has them? How much (which metal(s), grade, tonnes) is in each? When will they be found and proved?

Likely many years for most good occurences, but this coming Winter for one or more others of some significance/interest. Won't really know untill it actually happens!

Thus, fallback positions within and well away from the 'Ring of Fire' is always much better than NOT!

Old Joe

PS: As for PNP, they would likely want some influence/input over and above their share voting and can have this to increased extent by who they associate with (as in other significant shareholders) as they will want to protect their investment as will we all. As for investing in PNP directly, I think it would be a good relatively conservative means of being exposed to a basket of the larger area players. They have many other interests as well, so that will not hurt but will dampen the up side potentils as well.

So, it all depends on your circumstances as to how you deploy your investment cash.

Can't say much more than that! Big Nutshell!!!