RE:EGFBlue,
Very good reporting and excellent analysis. I have a few things to add, using the same numbering scheme where applicable.
1) They have enough cash to bring what they have to the next level. I have been wondering about the Quebec rebate as well. Apparently, it's pretty generous (40%, but of the exploration expenditure?) but I have not looked into this deep enough to know the details how to do this math. But, it should be substantials, i.e. millions.
2) Some what relating to this point: They have been dancing around Triangle and #4 Plug, with the Gap in between, why don't they poke a hole through (from S to N) to find out if that gap has some C-type structures. They had some holes drilled but they stopped short before reaching the Gap. If you take a ruler you could join the C-planes from Triangle to #4 Plug. It looks like a deliberate attempt to tease you into drawing the line yourself.
3) The Sigma Mill and and associated properties: $7M for a $500M value is not shabby a purchase. In fact the Mill is ICG flagship.
4) Feed: Initially it would be Triangle and part of Parallel. The rest would come along #4 Plug could be next, but the Deep Zone will need to be developed...So, extra feed could come from other mines up the road (or better, up the rail line). One candidate is the Val D'Or East that has an IF resource of 0.77Moz which is ready for PRB to bring up to the next level after the merger with AGE. Note G has 15% of the PRB (Probe Metals).
Agreed totally with the approach De Jong is taking, bring up the best to the front to form an atrractive package. Yup, he's dressing her up for mariage (not sure to whom, but may be this for an auction..may the richest win). If it were ELD, may be it would be just the Lamarque South deposits (Triangle, Parallel, #4 Plug,...?). The norther portion including Lamaque Deep and the Mill would be a separate entity. May be G would want a toe hold in the surving ICG, just like a toe hold in PRB. If G wanted to be nice to ELD then it would let ELD have the Lamaque South deposits. But not sure if G is obligated to be nice to anybody.
G may follow the same formula: Strip the junior (PRB, or ICG), take over the deposit if it's big enough (e.g. Borden Lake) for developing into a miner...and leave just enough for the junior to slave away to explore and grow the deposits for the master. A good game plan for G would be for G to take over ER (could be soon), develop Eau Claire to some decent level, then G can take it over down the road. Note: the proposed BoD for ER (AGM end of April) has De Jong, Salamis (even if ICG is sold totally, they are guaranteed a new sandbox to play in) and some ex-G staff as monimees.
Yup, the conspiracy continues.
GH