From the surface they've been finding considerable gold, from below on the ramp they've been finding considerable visible gold. I guess there is gold then. It is valuable and becoming more so. Some samples have been removed for safe keeping? (I wonder if security has been satisfactory in general?)

The old guard was moving toward bulk sampling and processing to get a handle on what was there. The new guard.....? We'll know at some point whether we're dealing with skullduggery or stealth or both. Perhaps we haven't heard any news from the present board because there are pickaxe and drill sounds coming from deep inside the ramp as a handful of men have donned coveralls and steel toed boots. :) It would make a great cartoon Snug.