......this is ALL speculation.....

I'm wondering why todays news seems so unique. Certainly the buddy buddy relationship with FWR is ongoing, sure, they can be operator for now....details can be worked out later. Why? Because NOW is the time to drill that specific anomaly......Why?.....is it part of RN's 'New Vision'? My guess is, absolutely......we can only guess at what the 'New Vision' is......but, this JV sends a message to all ROF companies that NOT is clearly setting the pace of development. I suspect that NOT may be getting a little nervous in regards to a major(s) sniffing around. I'm thinking about Diamond Fields dealing 10% to Teck, primarily to hold back other major suitors and a possible hostile take-over. Soooo.....if NOT and us believe we have a good possibility of a major find, then one of RN's main concerns could be this issue of protecting the company. The best way to do that would be to drill, drill, drill.....now!

Where?

'The Sweet Spot".....that 10 to 15k corridor running SW and NE from DE1. This could include JVs and geophys help, loan of drill help, use of facilities, anything that can get drills in the ground. Yes, I think RN's comment about 80% of ROF is still in play, I just get the feeling that 'The Sweet Spot' is where he will consolidate NOT's role of leader with 'once and for all' convincing grade and tonnage.....and more proof of the 'cluster theory'

I'm painting with pretty broad strokes here.....and this is all conjecture.....there is so much going on that we are not privy too.

..........cheers.....sambone