RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:This is how inneficiant the market is at times.Tops,
If Congo does draw the Stupid Card, then I agree the Company (all the mining companies) would win at arbitration. As long as miners stick together, the DRC will be forced into a reasonable settlement. I don't agree with Alvarez that the DRC is as good as Canada. It's not just a question of political opposition. The DRC does not respect private property. Individual human rights don't exist. Human life means nothing. Canada is subject to laws and a constitution. We have a democratic tradition going back a couple of hundred years.The police can't shoot you, and dump your body in the street in broad daylight. The Law in DRC provides only a wafer thin veneer of civility. It's for show. However, if miners stick together, and that does appear to be the case, you are then speaking the language of raw power. That's the only universal language truly respected. Here you need an iron fist in a velvet glove. The unity of international miners provides the iron. Pleasantries exchanged in front of cameras serves as velvet.
If the government does draw the Stupid Card, it could be as a calculated move to try and break the unity of miners. They would hope to peel away those less determined. Divide and Conquer.Then the Stupid Card won't look so stupid, just Ruthless. One thing miners have going for them is the intense financial distress in DRC. 40 to 50% inflation, foreign exchange reserves depleted. If miners turn off the money taps now, it would destabilize the government, possibly leading to it's downfall, a coup d'tat, or revolution.
I feel a lot better about South Africa than Rob. I think Platreef will soon get the green light, and will be wildly successful. Platreef alone may justify the current valuation.