Long Ball,
Taken as annecdotal information, if correct in all respects, I would see that as great news. For the trenching to have carried on this long indicates to me that they have been finding some good results.
Allow me to elaborate. I would guess that there are analysis that can be made in the field but could not be suitable for public release unless having and independant assay done in a lab. That trenching is ongoing would indicate that they are getting positive results. No one digs for months on end if it is plainly futile. Let them do their work and we will hear about it when it is all compiled.