future, page-6

don't forget that by far the largest proportion of chinese production is consumed by the chinese themselves, including steel (so far) they have only reduced growth estimates to around 8% next year. Also with the prospects of a rio/bhp merger increasing, i imagine that they will still be eager to secure alternate sources of supply.

the immediate effect, i reckon, may be the postponment of the christmas drilling program in tassie until irvine drilling results are in and cashflow plans are more finite. (if really good, easier to raise capital)

Anyway, by christmas we will all be saying "what credit crisis, it was all a storm in a teacup"