stokpiker
the agreements underlying ame ownership interest were signed with teck corp.
teck controlled most of the surface area around afton when they were operating from 1979 to 1998.
when cu hit .75 per # in late 90s teck gave up the ground that ngd optioned but kept all areas that ame is earning into.
when ngd discovered the afton extension teck did their ame deal.
imo teck did the backin agreement with ame insuring that any high grade discovery would allow teck in, just incase teck missed something the first time.
no h/g discovered in ame drilling, so teck cuts the deal for gutted mill etc.
ame is attempting to take all the teck cast offs, mill, shop, mined pits, exploration properties, ect, and make something of it.
they might be successful they might not.
if they are there will be two mines operating at afton, good for everyone!
if they are not, ngd will be in a position to make an offer for the ame ground.
the dream some posters on this thread have of a 1-1 share merger will never happen.
hope this helps you in some way!
good luck bt.