if
And let's say conservatively they added 700k ounces of gold last year.
I would say the odds are very good that 2011 drilling will add at least another 500k. They seem to have plenty of prime targets. And judging from 2010, they seem to be pretty smart when it comes to choosing targets.
You can't help but think that within a few years they may be approaching a total resource of 5 million ounces at Back River.
It would seem to me a nice scenario for Sabina would be: Do a JV on Hackett where the other company pays to build the mine and port and whatnot and Sabina retains an interest carried to production. I don't know what percentage is reasonable for Sabina to be able to retain in such a deal but I trust their business smarts that I have no doubt they would work out a deal where they keep their fair share.
As to Back River, that will be much less expensive to mine and Sabina might want to pursue that themselves.
One concept was- mine Back River first, then use profits to pay to develop Hackett River.
I guess that's another avenue to take. One drawback is that development of Hackett River might be pretty far into the future. And since the VMS deposit seems like it is a lot closer to being fully delinated than Back River is, it would seem to me a shame to have Hackett River just sitting on the shelf for a number of years if it's ready to be developed so long as the financing is there. And who knows what the metals market will be many years down the road?