If, and it is a very questionable if, HC Starck are chasing...

If, and it is a very questionable if, HC Starck are chasing tantalum in Ethiopia, I take a different view, they are showing signs of desperation to secure supply of tantalum.

From our our company presentation Feb.14 ;
" Ethiopia Kenticha (Government)
~ 140,000 lbs/year (Weathered pegmatite and alluvial ore)"

I also remember from JT's days, radioactive material (Ethiopia) was a big problem.

If Starck were serious about securing a quality long term supply, they would give up their game of brinkmanship waiting for GIP to fold (pick up Abu Dabbab themselves), because it is not going to happen. On my rough calculations they could inject equity or debt at the project level of approx. $30mio and recoup this amount fully in the first year of production (contract-vs-spot market price), plus, contract to spot, make another $30mio per annum profit for nine years. Hence, I believe the Ethiopia story has very little to NIL merit or concern to GIP.