mpjv, page-18

I'm with you on this one peteey....rules are rules and it was my understanding that the mininster could only award the lease back to Rio...in the interest of the State.

Nathan McMahon struck a deal with BHP to take the product, had contract miners available, etc.... how was it in the interest of the State to hand it back to someone who had no intentions of mining it in the near or medium term??

Maybe be sour grapes from me...I lost quite a bit on that decision. I can say though that Nathan McMahon did not leave a stone unturned on this to create value for his shareholders....pity CAZ lost IMHO.

Anyway having said all that....it is not unusual for "dire enemies" to JV together to minimise risk...Escondida (already pointed out), nearly every major oil field..etc...plenty of examples.

Cheers, Tony.