RE:Rubber StampYes, agreed, the French gov' have taken OREA through the legal ringer regarding the renewal of exploration licences for the Montagne d'Or project.
But that is why I think that the French withdrawing their SC challenge before a court decison would be very meaningful.
For example, it would indicate that the French gov' is removing the one present 'active' legal obstacle to the project (a SC decison against OREA would only help any still existing French incalcitrance).
Further, to encourage such French action, IMO, OREA may drop the court compensation claims against France which if won via a favorable SC decision would be in the US$ millions.
(Nordgold to have any chance of any return on their Montagne d'Or time have probably already withdrawn their French Russian Investment Treaty legal action initiated in 2020).
So France, OREA and Nordgold by these actions would all show good faith in this project.
The million $$ question, does France then invite OREA to submit their 'revised' feasibilty study with mine design and EISA reports for permit consideration? In fact, would France in an attempt to placate the environmental lobby to whom it appealed so much in the past election, in some manner go in with OREA on supervsing a smaller, modified (most transparent ,scrutinized and ESG compliant) gold mine yet to be built?
Or, does OREA go left field and see if the Chinese gold buying craze already seen in two recent buys in Suriname can be brought to FG? For example, the Chinese have held a critical metals project (I believe - may be wrong - it cost around a billion $) in Afghanistan for the last 15 years, while they waited for the US to leave. They play the long game and don't have as much concern for shareholders voices as any ROW gold major would. Would the Chinese waitout the Macron reign?
Then, we have basically a new BFS by OREA coming out with a reevaluation at maybe US$1600 per oz, along with what I think are increases in defined reserves and resources, via the never disclosed NG 2018 infill drilling campaign. NG valued the project at US$ 8 billion. No doubt NG inflated for the their court challenge, but even if OREA comes back at just 50% (on an approx., US $20 mill' company). Then there is movement on the permitting front or a Chinese move, etc.
Katie bar the door.
GLTA - https://twitter.com/EarthsRare