RE:RE:RE:Phase 4 Could Be Much biggerwaiting73 wrote: Personally, I think the metal gods will be offended by Ivanhoe's success and they will thus send a huge meteorite down to destroy the complex. I tried for a reasoned response to your BS but failed miserably.
The litany seems to go as: Nope, no ore there. Oh, well it can't be very big then. Well, it is big, but the plant will never be funded. Goodness, the plant is large but it won't work. Oh I see, well it won't meet the expansion goals. Hmm., well in that case there will never be enough power to run it. Wait on. Well then, climate change will dry up the lakes and rivers. Oh I see, well so much rain will flood out the rail transport system. But if that doesn't happen, if it is so successful I expect someone will attack them and steal it.
Alternate possibilities exist. How about the continued growth and success of Ivanhoe Mines and the concommitant successful development of education and mining infrastructure such that DRC becomes self sufficient in exploration and mining.
How about China independently negotiates political settlements healing regional unrest and allowing a flourishing of societal development in all of Africa.
How about, we are watching the early stages of development of the most successful mining company in history?
"An estimated 74.6% of Congolese people lived on less than $2.15 a day in 2023. About one out of six people living in extreme poverty in SSA lives in DRC."
If or when a rebellion takes place, pressure may be put on the President Tshieskedi (or his successor) to dramatically raise taxes on foreign-owned companies operating in the country lest he be overthrown. Natural resrouces is the only major means of wealth for the country, so I suspect either this government or a subsequent one will eventually be looking to extract a bigger piece of the natural resources pie to prevent citizens turning on it. Also keep in mind that only around 17% of DRC citizens (18M out of a population of 105M) actually voted in the last election as survival likely took precedence over trying to find time to get to a polling station.
2) Re. Climate Change: It's not just the threat of flooding or draught, it's the lack of government preparedness / resources to respond if such extreme weather conditions hit. Countries like Canada and the USA have the means to respond, minimize the suffering of the citizens affected, and aid in rebuilding the striken area. DRC? No so much. Just because a major incident hasn't occurred yet doesn't mean one won't take place in the future, and as we all know, natural disasters are becoming more and more common throughout the world.
3) Re. Chinese partnerships: No thanks. The U.S., Britain and EU countries are continuing to distance themselves from reliance on China in the areas of metals, minerals, and other natural resources by combining forces to create their own supply and technological / extraction expertise. Yes China is interested in forming partnerships wiith African countries, Russia, and any others who want to sell or partner with them re. natural resources, but at the cost of significantly more political risk in my opinion.