Just found this little article that was printed in May last year...

Just found this little article that was printed in May last year however the info is very relevant. I have attached the link at the bottom.

If it's true it explains the long delay in the extra tenement being approved.
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"The huge increase of Chinese investments in mining and hydro-power plants has led to a two-year moratorium on new concessions.

'We have stopped handing out new mining licenses for the past year," said CPI vice president Bounthavy Sisouphanthong. "That was out of concern for the environment, and also a feeling that the government needed to negotiate better'.

Laos has handed out more than 140 mining concessions in recent years, many to Chinese looking for gold, copper, iron, potassium and bauxite.

Some of the proposed projects are massive.

For instance, Australia's ORD Rivers Resources has joint ventured with China's Nonferrous Metals International Mining Co., Ltd (CNMIM) to develop a 727-square-kilometre concession on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos into one of the world's largest bauxite mines.

'Such concessions are hard to secure in Laos without a Chinese partner'.

"It's political," said Vinay Inthavong, a Lao entrepreneur and chairman of the Vico Group. "If the leadership wants to stay in power they have to support China and Vietnam."

'It may also be monetary'.


LINK:- http://arizonacowboy.multiply.com/journal/item/302