RE:Minto Up 4 Sale: how will play out? Purchase price, inclusive of remediation and back taxes/royalties, etc, is peanuts to Rio. If they're truly serious about being here, this is the golden opportunity to take both. If I'm Paul, I'm proposing a plan where Rio acquires/operates both, while Paul continues his ground game. Rio wanted these 2.5 years to:
- Build relationship with the government? Great, Rio can solve this problem. I'm increasingly convinced Yukon upped Pembridge's requirements simply because they didn't want PR there, and knew they couldn't afford the increased security. PR had like 10 employees. This is Rio.
- Build relationships with FN's? Rio's presence effectively guarnatees royalty payments to Selkirk for Minto's operating life.
- Become familiar with YESAB? If M2 is correct and the regulator is trying to force Paul's hand, they should have increased confidence Rio ultimately acquires/buids/operates Casino once the power question is settled, whether the government helps w/ power or not. Remember, electrification only affects deal price, IMO. No electrification? Lower BO price for us. Electrification? Higher, IMO.
Golden opportunity. The time is now, Paul!