The simple answer is NO. Hugo needs jobs for the miners before the November elections so letting them die isn't the answer. VZ doesn't have the know how to mine this properly and don't want to spend the money when they can sit back and take in taxes, royalties and their percentage.

IMHO kry will get the permit, and will JV/buyout with the Chinese well before the elections. I see mining law, then permit and then buyout. This all adds up to a $10+ price tag.