I think we have to take a better look at how the Chineese operate. What is their primary objective ? Is it to secure a long-term supply arrangement or to make a good profit with their 9.9-19.9 % share investment ?? IMO, sure they would want to see some profits,BUT strategically they are after the ore at the best price they can get with a long-term relationship and the sp and profits are quite secondary . IMo,we likely would have been far better off with an outright sale of the company to one of the other majors . A sale ,with shares for shares in a major would ,IMO, have likely given us far more leverage. Look at the share for share deal that FWR got with Cliffs. While the deal looked like a steal for Cliffs ( and probably was),the value of Cliff shares has since appreciated in a huge way ,with room for far more appreciation in the future,with all of Cliffs holdings and operations.
IMO,the NOT deal with the Chineese is really a deal for the Chineese and weak for shareholders.
Just my opinion.