Hi Serena,
Looks like you are really fixated on your twisted version of the ant and the elephant story. Unfortunately your perception is totally incorrect.
SDL (the Elephant) and ANS (the Ant) are actually strategic partners. They are working together, with the help of WAPRC, trying to get the Mbalam project off the ground. They are not trying to eat each other (your version: the ant is trying to eat the elephant). So your perception is completely wrong.
The Elephant and the Ant are actually friends and strategic partners, not enemies.
You need to be a bit more patient. We are advised that both SDL and ANS Boards are working diligently over the last 7 months and positive progress has been made. I believe the agreement with the note holders will be extended again without any problem. I also believe the Convention will be extended eventually by the Cameroon Government as it was extended time and time again in the past.
Soon, maybe in a few months, we may find the Elephant and the Ant are actually in love, not just friends. Ha Ha Ha.
In the meantime, just sit back, relax and have a read of this nice little story which may help your over-stressed mind and soul. Once the project is built and ore is shipped, you will have your juicy dividends.
The Ant and the Elephant story
An ant is stranded on an island; since he can't swim, the ant asks a turtle for help. The turtle selfishly refuses (because he's already had his swim for the day); shortly thereafter, he falls on his back and can't right himself. So he asks a hornbill for help; she selfishly refuses ("This will teach you not to be so clumsy," she says), and then her egg falls out of its nest. It's too heavy for her to carry, so she asks a giraffe for help, but the giraffe is too proud to assist her. Then the giraffe's legs get hopelessly ensnarled in some vines; he asks a lion for help, but the lion just laughs and strolls on. Then a boulder rolls onto the lion's tail, trapping him. He asks a rhino for help, but when he can't think of any way to return the favor, the rhino strolls on...until he gets his horn embedded in a stump. Then an elephant notices and helps each of the animals in turn, starting with the ant - the only one who bothers to thank the elephant. Shortly after the elephant has assisted everyone, he himself falls into a ravine. When he can't get out, the elephant resigns himself to his plight. Then a horde of ants - led by the one he assisted previously - carry him from the ravine. He, in turn, gives them a ride home on his back.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ant_and_the_Elephant
