Fuck me, it’s like the CATH extensions that went on for a billion years. What a fucking shit show
Maybe Locke is waiting for (pending?) news/indications to come out from the new government MoM &/or ICC & ICSID arbitration to built stronger conviction before committing. Our BOD doesn't want to expose anything in their hand, only providing bare minimum for public consumption. It's a very tight game atm. Our opponents just need to scan these threads & X to get a read on what's exposed - loose lips etc. Same goes for Zijin/Cominiere, however, they appear to be involved in a bluff scenario - putting out public material on their local activities. Trying to convince everyone (DRC officials & AVZ) that they are the real deal.
Only one way to deal with a bluff is to force everyone (DRC gov, Zijin/Cominiere) to show their hands.
But, we're going to have to pay (hence Locke) to wait to see the strength of ICC & ICSID cards and DRC gov's, Zijin/Cominiere's response.
A deal with Locke would send a strong message of AVZs intensions to see the Chinese bluff.
The BoD is my proxy at the table and I'm backing them 100% - it's the only game in town.