"Is it possible that the end is near?"
All indications from VZ, RM, and everywhere else is that things are close to culminating in a permit. I bought more yesterday, although it was just a drop in the bucket relative to my total holdings.
BTW I find it interesting that some posters see the glass empty now after all that we've been through. I am quite skeptical of such posters motives. We all have doubts at times, but some of these folks seem to have an agenda.
Interesting that there has been no news (good or bad) for so long. Makes me think that the two sides are very close in negotiations over the final environmental issue. I don't expect that it is a matter of big expense, but more an issue of mining efficiently and complying in a feasible way.