People seem to think that things in the sale of properties are done only in a specific fashion. In times like these some innovation must be used for these majors to be able to control (by buying or by option) some huge potential "gold mines". I offered some sugestions as to how they might buy SLI with an option price variable according to what is proven going forward during the option term. This is an inexpensive method (negotiable) for one of the majors to lock up their ability to buy some juicy gold reserves (like we have in SLI hopefully). The beauty of this option is that the major can walk away if there is not a viable gold mine proven on the site. Dropping say $5mil. for a Newmont is a drop in the bucket compared to what a 25 to75 mil. ounce find could mean for their share value. It would increase their market capitization by millions if not billions! If any of the majors believe Tesoro could have huge deposits (and I'm sure some are investigating) they would treasure an innovative option arrangement. I'm not saying there is 20 to 75 mil. ounces at Tesoro. I am saying that I'm sure a Newmont would be interested in locking up a property (by buying an option) that has the potential to produce huge amounts of gold if given the opportunity by some smart seller (SLI?). JW