Alba, MS has done QUITE A BIT more than smoke and mirror postings. The completion of the MOP as well as the lease (which were both approved by the ASLD) represent significant advances for NMC. As Kevin Bacon said in "A Few Good Men"........"These are the FACTS, and they are indisputable".
Regarding the Rio Tinto thing that you always refer to, I don't think there has ever been a statement whereby MS indicated that Rio Tinto was interested in NMC. If I recall, he indicated that he was speaking with a Rio Tinto representative at a conference about the current state of mining, financing, etc. If I'm wrong, I'm happy to be corrected, but I don't think I am.
NMC lives to fight another day.........much to the chagrin of certain individuals.........much to the pleasure of others such as myself.
NMC long.