OREA's FutureAs usual this is JMHO -
Both Columbus Gold/OREA and NG went through all the mine permitting hoops that were required of them including the community consultations in French Guiana around 2017-18. In fact, the new mine design itself was modified based on the issues (size, power sources, waste disposal, infrastructure impacts, etc) that arose from community feedback.
Further, Macron supported the mine through the last decade as minister and then Pres' up until around 2018 (see a few news headlines given below). However, his opinion changed and the mine was denied pre the French election 2022. This denial was made without the already ready new mine design, environmental studies, etc having even been formally requested by France.
Combined, NG and Columbus Gold/OREA spent at least US$60 mills in costs over the last two decades buoyed by ongoing exploration results, etc., and Macron’s support. Yet, despite all the sunken expenses, despite meeting all the obligations set re., community engagement, despite developing a cutting edge mine and ESIA reports based on FG community issues raised; a summary judgment of denial by Macron/France was publicized. Again, without even looking at the already prepared new mine documents and applications, apparently never formally submitted.
I am not a lawyer just an interested holder, but it seems that OREA now has only one avenue left, a Court of Arbitration. IMHO, (and I know others disagree) nobody is going to buy OREA’s 45% of a sanction/denied Russian (55%) mine in FG rainforest, basically now stymied by CAD and then rather coincidentally also by a French deadline default.
Further it appears based on past decisions that the CofA is not averse to political considerations in its decision making. No doubt today that will include significant deference to environmental dogma. This is why NG went via the French Russian Investment Treaty for its 2020 legal pursuit of France because this avenue specfically did not allow for environmental considerations in decision making (OREA can’t use this pathway and going via French courts which most definately would use this issue in decision making would be foolish).
France will no doubt use the environment as the guiding factor in their having denied this mine in front of any CofA process. They will quote many other projects that have likewise recently been so treated. They will prove that OREA never had any actual gold ‘in hand’ (regardless of 2017 BFS) and, therefore, never spent one cent on a mine buildout.
IMHO, OREA should not take the path that most small cap entities take in the CofA claiming massive $% amounts (even with sunken costs added) for theoretical projects that weren’t close to buildout. Rather, OREA should go straight after only identifiable financial sunken cost losses. Then add in ‘calculable’/documented depreciated company/shareholder value. Such recorded expenses along with years of depreciated shareholder value linked to Macrons ‘documented’ first extended ongoing support which then turned to denial (documented), helped near destroy OREA, sending company/shareholder value to almost zero over the last 7 years (2017 – 2023).
Funding such a CofA case is apparently beyond OREA's means (I assume their remaining AUAU shares would not cover). Nor would I rely on the French SC coming to their financial rescue with an exploration renewal decision including a daily $ consequence for French court obstruction. From what I have seen CofA legal case costs are often in the US $5 -10 mills range for proceedings taking 2-5 years to any decision, if they are not (rarely) settled out of court beforehand.
After all arbitration funder costs, commissions and any OREA debts are deducted (even if OREA can find a deep pockets individual investor they are going to want a major risk/return commission + costs), then, any award cash remainder should be shared amongst all shareholders and OREA closed.
Again, as I have said in the past, this is now, IMO, just an arbitration play with no real entity assets left. Nor should OREA management be allowed by shareholders to assign any portion of any award made towards continuing this company. The CEO is capable of running this legal process and only his fees should still be covered. I don’t blame OREA management for this situation, but OREA as a mining exploration entity is dead. Around 15 years on this project is long enough, let management and shareholders share what is left via cash to shares apportionment and all move on. If management wants to start a new company then let interested future investors opt in, not be coopted in with any Cof A award money held over.
GLTA present shareholders - https://twitter.com/EarthsRare
FYI - Here are some news headlines as late as the end of 2017.
July 9, 2017
Will President Macron resurrect the French mining industry? Macron has pledged his support for the Montagne d’Or project in French Guiana. Developed by Canadian junior miner Columbus Gold, the site in the north-west of the country is home to proven and probable reserves of 2.75 million ounces of gold, but has faced criticism from environmental groups. AND - Emmanuel Macron confirms his support for the disastrous mine project in Guyana October 28, 2017
" Everyone knows my involvement in the beginnings of the Montagne d'Or project, " declared Emmanuel Macron during his press conference on Friday, October 27 in Cayenne. Then Minister of the Economy, Emmanuel Macron went to the research permit site in August 2015 and declared that he wanted to
“ do everything so that a project of this scale can see the light of day ” . However, he remained cautious about the future of the project, which will be the subject of public debate in the coming months in Guyana.
AND – Emmanuel Macron: The Montagne d'Or project "can be good for Guyana" Asked about the "Montagne d'or" mining project during an interview with Guyane Premire and ATV, the head of state did not want to answer "binary", for or against. Despite everything, his opinion is favorable under certain conditions.