>Is it therefore fair to assume that the company is just gearing itself to start on the Australian project in order to fulfill some roadblocks within its agreement ? or it may risk losing some of the rights granted. As you mention, the negotiations took a long time and I fear any more delays may risk components of the entire agreement with the Australians. They have to show activity and results.

They were awarded an extension of some sort of 14 (months) on April 08/2009

I put months in brackets because the 14 is in the 'Period' column on the title information form at the Northern Territory Government website. The expiry date on the lease is still 31/12/2010, so I assume they have been given an extension on their commitments.