The usual caveats: Comments in no particular order, (personal comments in brackets);hope i get it right.

1. Bureaucrats still working on their permitting/EA with report to Minister for signature late Q3caledar-2013.(I previously thought this would be earlier, but my missunderstood on timing). ON leadership happening as I type; then Minister selection; possible election, etc etc. Paul on first name basis with a dozen ON ministers as well as 6-7 Fed ministers after numerous ongoing meetings. Pathway Group (Ott& TO based lobbyists) instrmental in this, along with Milestone for NYC& TO financing meetings. Not much to say (or can't say) about financing status. More later. Wynne or Pupatello likely next Lib leader, with Wynne best for NOT by a nose. NOT is very much on the "awareness very high" radar of Fed/ON Prov politicians. PR offensive/proactiveness "on hold" due to ON Lib leadership election/cabinet selection/possible election. Depending on the Lib leader elected there may not be an ON election right away, and maybe some hope for an sooner than later "certainty statement" (aka infastructure funding formulae deal).

2. Multple financing options still available and all options await a "certainty statement" (see prev. ref) from government which would enable the crunching of NOT's financing numbers-> specific $numbers.

3. Wes departure very amicable, and recognized as a job very well done: ." mission accomplished". He said that 3 years in a jr miner is about typical length for that level of a job, and that "Wes was wondering what's next". ( i got the feeling that Wes would move up to a bigger challenge such as a bigger operating mine looking to inject the cost cutting mining technologies/ideas and FN/community skills demonstrated at NOT). I asked where he was going and Paul begged off (of course ). He's on holiday and likely sifting through offers. Paul is staying and he said he wants to see the project through to building the mine. He's from northern Ontario and quite happy to continue to finish the job. (he has the "drive" to build the mine).

4. Re FS timelines (start mine in late Q4 2016). Management and board are completely onside with this target and only the EA permits and financing remain as issues. The transporation route/method is not an issue. No changes to the 2016 "mine" schedule. Wes ' departure has/will have no efect on this schedule.

Misc. Move to new office was just due to lease expiring on old address, and not any headcount cutbacks. No mention of need for PP financing.

I got the sense that things would heat up NOT-wise as soon as the ON leader named/cabinet chosen.

Peter