BHP,RIO, Xstrata, Anglo American or any other knew they would never be successful in getting SDL because Biya would never grant the permit.
Why would BHP risk pissing off the Chinese in case of future retributions. BHP is already in China BAD BOOKS after they sabotage teh RIO-Chinalco deal.
There is nothing any country in the world fear more than a powerful and rich China with an axe to grind.
