BeenT

Start the drilling from a barge now until about feeze up is a novel idea. At least drilling can proceed as close as possible toward the the shore, keeping in mind the presence of the cottages (potential sight and noise complaints). The rig could be positioned toward the south so that when freeze up occurs, drilling could still be going...just give the cottagers some distance (or buy them off! and use them as hotel/rest location for workers and visitors).

Agreed, my preference would be a ramp which would serve many purposes: looking around/survey/drilling from underneath (no noise, etc), bulk sampling...and to send a signal to the lumber people that PRB has a viable resource under the lake and don't really need the 50-50 JV, nor the wedge. Play hardball, anyone?

Any idea how much this ramp would cost? Let's say, starting from the 100%PRB claim at the southern tip of the wedge and heading toward the middle of the lake (~1-2km length). A wild guess, $1-2M?

goldhunter