approval to drill is part of the EPO(Exploration Plan of Operations) on state land--it is pretty much a given in AZ---we applied in early/mid Aug so I would expect plan approval within the next two weeks 'tho I am loath to put timelines on ANYTHING :-)...
Hi- and thanks for the reply. Like everyone else, I am frustrated by the lack of a deal. It's just that there is nothing precluding a deal and I believe we have what it takes to conclude a deal- namely a huge deposit in a politically stable (if not always friendly) and climatically unimpeded (unlike AK) and geographically accessible region. It has been depicted and defined in spectacular fashion by many intersecting and reinforcing modalities- most especially ZTEM. But despite all this- it is still taking time and apparently many efforts to convince an appropriate entity to partner with us. I believe there is every reason to be optimistic- but the time line won't necessarily meet our wishes. Which is as it has to be- since it is totally disconnected from us. The efforts to secure a deal will continue. I personally don't think permitting issues will be what will hold us up. When a deal is struck- I am quite confident the drills will begin turning.