RE:RE:Status? Based on recollection and no available updated detailed compliant feasibility study (the $12 million), responses to your questions as follows:
Maybe Mr. Villar can, maybe not. Point being it happens in abundance in the PI. Not a good business climate. Publicly traded companies cannot be involved with pay offs and any unethical activity. Especially if the World Bank is involved.
The upper portion of the resource (oxide), as last reviewed, required copper leach extraction using solvent (SXEW). No gold is recovered from this process. Additionally, an on/off load pad was proposed. This are notoriously inefficient and problematic, from experience. From there a floatation concentrate is required since cyanide soluble copper prevented direct leaching to produce dore.
Small/illegal small miners were and likely continue to work dog-holes and use mercury.
EIA/ECC does not provide adequate detailed engineering specifications. In particular, a tailings facility in a high precipitation/seismic area is very challenging. Additionally the facility would likely be required to be lined.
Unfortunately, PI mine regulators don't know what their doing in addition to the general government regarding implementing real environmental law. Thats why arbitrarily shut compliant mines down tossing them in with the real bad actors.
The resource, or at least major zones of it, have sufficient levels of acid generating minerals. These will require control during and after operations (potential perpetual water management). Additionally, the remaining pit walls will generate unacceptable storm water runoff quality. The Kingking river runs through a portion of the open pit last mine plan reviewed.
The PI does and will want an ever increasing slice of the pie, especially to cover mine site mismanagement and abandonment at other sites.