From a Q&A session with Chris From a recent Q&A session with Chris Grove:
How big are the chances that after you deliver the samples, a cooperation with CCE materializes?
Chris: I think that we may be able to secure a partnership before we produce samples, but that could be overly optimistic, but as just stated, the level of anxiety [in the REE industry] is the highest I have ever seen it.
What are the next steps of CCE in terms of bringing the projects ahead.
Chris: Either a bank financing, or a partnership, both of which should bring in the capital needed to complete the next two economic reports.
[Further: Commerce continues] to exist at the specific generosity of Zimtu Capital who were continuing to financially back us, and with whom we had built up a debt of over $1 M CAD, and as well with the patience of the debt holders such as Dahrouge Geological, who we have owed approximately $250,000.00 for about 4 years.
[This depth will be potentially changed into equity with further dilution]
...we prepare to initiate a capital raise for the company...to allow us to actually complete some programs - the upgrading of the fluorite at Hazen will be starting imminently and then this will be followed by the release of the outstanding metallurgical reports from the last operation of the pilot plant, and then we will re-start the pilot plant itself...As well, after we have been successful in the upcoming capital raise, we will assay the outstanding 2,000 metres of drill core, and we will initiate a small work program on site.
Besides this, I also wanted to let you know that we have had more interest expressed in both of our deposits right now than we have had ever before, and I look forward to telling you about these interested companies who are either in the US, or are marketing to the US...One American firm who is under NDA with us, is most active and interested in both of our projects, [further] Urban Mining of Texas, and AML of Florida are also very interested in the Ashram as a long term source of the REE's from the Ashram...they all need the REE's and we are arguably the best opportunity for them all, and for all of the other companies that have requested samples from us.