There has been some discussion that has suggested that a lack of...

There has been some discussion that has suggested that a lack of a Mininp Permit is a problem. This is nonsence.

In Western Australia, for a project of this size with two large mine sites, 500K+ of rail line and a port, the first thing you would do is negotiate a State Agreement with the Govt. This is the equivalent of their Mining Convention.

I parallel you would be working on the Mining Permit which would have a number of aspects that you would have to meet. In WA this includes Native Title, Native Heritage, environmental approval and safety approval.

The final approval to operate the mine would be granted only days before you start operating. For example the safety regulator would not give the ok until the plant had been commissioned and they had seen that it was operating safely.

So don't get hung up on the lack of a Mining Permit. The Convention is far more critical and Management have indicted this will follow after the strategic partner is selected.