something my uncle and I were discussing the other day, DMM is ready for production soon, why would the government sit down with ARU and CTQ first and not them???? they would bring in more immediate funds to the government.

***exactly my own thoughts.

throw out some conspiracy theories, i got none on this one. very curious move by the mining minstry but the question is why did they do it.

***go back a bit and read my post:

http://www.agoracom.com/ir/Aurelian/...

I don't think this is about setting a windfall tax at all. I think it's about a major, possibly CVRD, stepping in and fast-tracking a copper project. Corriente and Aurelian together hold the most prospective copper properties, but they move at a snails pace. The heat is on for Correa to show some results. His own guys have been running interference and he needs a fait acompli. Something to show he's serious about getting the job done, which means jobs - lots of jobs - in a big hurry.

Whether we're partners to the deal, or simply get an offer we can't refuse is an open question, but I maintain the gold at FDN will never leave the country. Ecuador hitched their wagon to a dying horse, the US dollar, and now they need something to offset their exposure.

You asked for a conspiracy theory..LOL. I have no idea if it even makes sense. None of what's happening makes any sense right now.

OK, that's it! I'm off to bed.

ebear