"Apparently development time frames havent been impacted by a...

"Apparently development time frames havent been impacted by a near 1 year delay - How can that be the case"

Because the DFS doesn't impact on any of the permitting or drilling activities, it simply impacts on whether or not the project is feasible. The DFS is in effect made up of all of these plus other costing factors.

Technically, they could start construction on the plant without a DFS.

That's how timeframes of the target start date haven't been impacted. However do I think we will be producing 4q12? no I think it will be more likely 1,2Q13 mainly in part due to the current global market conditions. Do I think the SP will be 5c until then? quite obviously not