Ann: BML J/V Licences Extended-BML.AX, page-7

I doubt it. Although it's only my opinion it still seems to be the case that the smelter must continue to operate as it supports the town and associated infrastructure. In the same way as our government might prop up Whyalla I expect that Botswana will do the same here. I also think BCL would have stopped funding stuff a long time ago if they didn't intend to proceed. They have seen the grades, they know better than anyone what it costs to mine. While nothing is a certainty the signs point to mining. Not to mention if they do proceed they still need to do a BFS and EIS which will run well into 2017 and give those pescy nickel stockpiles a chance to run down further!

But no point speculating; we'll know by the end of the week.