sorry it doent say dismantled .but says demobilized

sam

The following adjustments are being made to Aurelian’s operations in response to the Mining Mandate:

• Suspension of Drilling Operations – The Company’s drilling contractors in Ecuador have been notified to demobilize in an orderly manner.

I can see how they might pay to keep some of the rigs on standby. It's an economic calculation - what's the cost to replace them later vs. keeping them (and the crews) on the site. For that matter you could buy them outright. You'd pay a hefty premium, but it might be the better solution, at least for one or two of them. Let's face it, if we lose concessions we're not going to need them all anyway. Or we could just put in an order for new rigs that have contracts expiring in 6 months. I'm sure all this is being calculated as we speak.

I'm more concerned about losing personnel, and on that note I'll relate a story. Back when Aurelian was looking for a drill foreman I sent them someone with 35 years in hard rock who'd worked all over the world, had years of experience as a foreman and spoke good Spanish. The man is a personal friend of high integrity and with a deep respect for the environment. An example of the kind of guy he is: at one of his recent jobs a local girl needed an eye operation. He paid for that out of his own pocket.

Well, long story short, he never heard back. So what happened there? With the shortage of personnel I should have thought at least an acknowlegement was in order? I don't know if that's normal in this industry, but it certainly is in others. If someone sends you their resume, you reply. That way, you haven't closed the door if you need them later on. Just a personal observation. Take from it what you will.

ebear