I was going to post this after the market close, but 2C's revealing posts on AURC board make it easier for me.
I called TsNIGRI this morning - two calls, two pretty long conversations with Anna Smolenkova (from Migachev's unit, “assistant director(?)”) and Galina Sidelnikova (deputy director, follows Romanchuk's unit). Migachev himself was "busy" at the moment, but Anna called him a couple of times to confirm some points. Sidelnikova also used the second line to ask Romanchuk some of my technical questions.
They both are very informed about the situation and confirmed the validity of emails that have been discussed here. Anna sent it from Migachev's address to “somebody” just yesterday. She considers these emails as “official rebuttal”. I told her that this is rather a private statements and suggested to post something on their company’s website. They never thought about this, but she sounded like it may be a good idea.
Anna Yur’evna Smolenkova:
AS:Yes, we are aware about this situation after one journalist from ABV Gold called us. Yes, we are getting emails from investors. We have never had any relations with Krong or Aurus. Documents posted on Aurus website (she specifically mentioned “expert conclusion” – summary and contract) are fabricated. Signatures are forged, and stamps are scanned. Migachev's signature doesn't even look like his. We are not responsible for the deeds of any con artists (this is my translation of Russian “afferist”).
eik: OK, you don’t know who Aurus or Krong is, but have you done any work for “Puma”?
AS: Yes, we did something for Puma. Everything was official and they paid for the work.
eik: started asking questions about Roshal pile, report, etc. She gave me the phone #s of Romanchuk and Sidelnikova, and recommended to talk to Sidelnikova, who is the chief of Romanchuk.
Galina Vasil’evna Sidelnikova:
GS: Yes, we have done some technical analysis for Puma. We don’t know who owns what.”
eik: OK, leaving aside the ownership issue, can you confirm that there is a technogene pile with high content of gold and other minerals in Roshal?
GS: We have performed just technical analysis of samples delivered by the client. We don’t know how typical these samples are, how it’s spread around the place, etc.
eik: But it’s written in the report that TsNIGRI experts visited this site twice. It’s just 160 km from Moscow, you could do it.
GS: We do it even further than that, but we didn’t do it for Puma. (calls Romanchuk to make sure) Nobody ever visited Puma’s site!
eik: But how do you know where are those samples from? Could they bring them from Magadan?
GS: But they were pyrite ash samples.
eik: There are pyrite ash piles in Magadan too.
GS: Listen, we had samples supplied by the client with official forms filled in. We didn’t have any reason to doubt their data.
eik: Was your conclusion written in Russian?
GS: Yes.
eik: They have posted English document with Romanchuk’s signature and TsNIGRI stamp.
GS: We know nothing about this.
There were more topics discussed, but this is basically all. My general impression: they are very surprised, even amazed by Aurus actions, but feel uncomfortable to discuss it or to go after them because they did perform some work and were paid for this. (IMO) One important thing that I missed (was too concentrated on a subject): I didn’t ask specifically was the document they prepared 43-101 form or something else? I did mention “43-101” a few times and she never objected the term or asked “what is this?” :)
FYI.
P.S. For those who are about to start killing the messenger: I don’t need your shares and I don’t want you to sell. Actually, I think AURC could be ready for technical bounce here… if the management is smart enough to fix the situation. Next PR will be crucial. IMO.
AI
