If we multiply the tonnage by the average grade we can determine...

If we multiply the tonnage by the average grade we can determine (back-of-a-napkin calculation) that the lithium in the ground, if processed to its final chemical product, could be sold for more than a billion dollars. But getting it from the ground onto a ship, FOB, has a cost. The rule of thumb in this case (I believe) is to actually value the deposit at about 1% of that amount, 2% at most. The difference of 98 - 99% is not just the cost of exploration, development and production, but also includes the cost/value of the great risk that production will never occur. (Take Nemaska's Whabouchi's recent "near-death" - unexpected cost overrun - experience as an example). If my solvent (ie., no financial pressures hence no fire sale) company owned the deposit and a major producer offered to pay me cash, "right here, right now", I would offer it to them for $10,000,000. Take it or leave it! (LOL)

With regards to your statement regarding the vendors kicking themselves, one would expect that if they have/had a (decent) Net Smelter Return (a type of royalty on production) they should be delighted that what began as a crummy low-grade lithium showing (it was just one historic rock sample that graded 2002 ppm (parts per million) (or 0.2%) has morphed into a major and quite possibly economic lithium deposit. That's what all prospectors work and dream for. From memory, at the time of their agreement the value of the cash and shares they were to receive was about $60,000. In my view it was a fair price at the time, based on existing knowledge of the claims' geology.

So I ask myself (as should all MTC shareholders), why, precisely, did they rush to court? Could it be that the breaches of contract were only the straw that broke the camel's back? What else may have stuck in the vendors' craw? Luc Schuss is personable and pleasant, and his family are well known in Vancouver mining circles. I have met Luc and fully believe that he would come to terms with (new and communicative and respectful) MTC management out of court. In fact I would be pleased to have a word with him with regards to this entire matter if I would be authorized, in writing, to do so on behalf of MTC. Or just to make the introductions. I believe that Luc is just as displeased with this entirely avoidable mess as I am.

Now, a deal is a deal, and by rights Luc should not ask for more that he (and his partner) signed for in the agreement. Again, any cash or share payments must necessarily pale in comparison to, say, a 2% served-on-a-platter royalty. In other words they would get 2% of the lithium product coming out of the processing plant, to do with as they please. Or take the cash equivalent instead. 2% of a billion dollars is $20 million.

But if the Company wants to swallow really hard and settle out of (or in!!) court, one might offer a new option deal to Luc. It could be a given amount of cash and shares based on stated milestones. By year. By drilling completed. By completion of a pre-feasibility study. By completion of a feasibility study. By completion of a successful environmental impact study. Upon production. And so on. In other words the vendor shares the risk. No success, no honey! With MTC having the right to stop all activities and return the claims to the vendors. There are many ways to skin a cat. And it all begins with demonstrating respect for the other party.

Rick, you have necessarily inserted the word "allegedly" into your comments. Fornow, until we speak, you must read mylips.