Agreed.  If you are in the 'combo synergies camp' then it is easy to believe that Newmont's involvement in Galore was always known to be only a first step in getting in on the "big combo" project.  

Reminds me of the discovery Prospekt made on the Tetra Tech (?) site where they listed their current projects and the one for Teck was listed as 'Galore Creek/Schaft Creek'.  That is..until Prospekt contacted them (I left a message that wasn't returned, iirc) about the unusual combo-project listing.  The listing was removed entirely either same day or by the next morning.  Neither was reposted individually.

I have always strongly believed that Newmont would be Teck's partner in Schaft Creek.   I know that Teck will want to take us out and then turn to Newmont;  but it doesn't have to change hands that way.  Nothing is stopping us from selling our share of the project or the entire company, for that matter, to Newmont and that may give them some leverage in getting a better deal on the rest of the project share they seek.

That's why I wonder:  Would it really kill Ernesto to at least send Tom Palmer a Christmas card?