RE: The Dawn Of A New Era For Entree GoldIt had been speculated that BHP would be the one to bite the bullet and align with ETG.
This was based on the revelations of the superior mineralization north of Hugo and their obvious interest in getting a better feel for the potential of the region with their airborne magnetometer.
It appears that they may have moved too slowly. Their quickie marriage with Bayfield, with sizeable but unproven mineral claims, now appears to have been a reaction to their obvious knowledge that Entree and Rio were finalizing an agreement.
This allows BHP to stay close with their Eagle tie in with IVN and the Bayfield prospects.
But what is in the cards now for ETG?
It was previously speculated that given the deep pockets of an entity that could actually build a mine, the IVN position might become one of needing to participate in the mine being developed on the richer ore bodies of Copper Flats.
Obviously, the economically dictated initial production zone.
This would of course be severly impacted by the earn-in position that IVN has on that parcel.
Of course if say a Rio Tinto decided that it is mine that they want to build, and they can build, the dynamic might be that RF would accept a refund of the monies advanced in the cause of firming up the discoveries of the JV.
In return for releasing the ETG/RT entity from the earn-in, he might be able to gain the ability to actually monetize the OT ores in a joint mine located near the current IVN/ETG property line.
A mine that would have a very high probability of happening now that a real operator has a direct equity interest.