RE:RE:Very little effect on the confirmation of Kakula?With Ivanhoe operating in the DRC they have put more than a little money into the infrastructure by way of investment in power generation and also in the area of medical aid to the populace. There is also a visible hiring of African (read Black ) professional as well as as labour. Friedland has applied for a social licence and has demonstrated a willingness to work with the government to ensure that the government has a benefit by allowing the completion of both the Kipushi and the Kamoa/Kakula projects. I believe that Rober Friedland is the right person to be leading these projects until they have obtained all of the necessary commitments to proceed to operation. Prior to completion of construction and commissioning I think that Friedland should remain as the front line leader. Any buyout that removes Ivanhoe's executives would be a major mistake at this time.
I think the forthcoming studies (PEA's, PFS's and FS's) will confirm the economics of all of Ivanhoe's projects in both the DRC ans SA and as exploration proceeeds the Kakula discovery will be shown to be among the best copper discoveries in history.We also should remember the investments being made by Chinese coprporations in African infrastrucure and that Ivanhoe is closely linked to Zijin mining, a very large and well funded company. When the chinese enter into business relationship it is a personal as well as economic pertnership and I believe the investment in Ivanhoe is exactly that and rocking the management boat would not be good.