I would not think that having these new claims would halt or alter progress toward drilling at the already approved locations.  Those plans and approvals are in place awaiting funding.  These new claims may have had some exploratory drilling in the past, but I very stronly suspect that very much more drilling is required.  If so, that means appying for permits, which may not result in immediate approval. 

Recall here too that the new claims are thought to be Carlin-style, sediment hosted mineralization.  Typically, such deposits are low grade, requiring comparatively vast drilling efforts before a development plan can be considered.

Our "old" claims at Hay Mountain are a different story, in my opinion.  They offer a very much higher chance of giving us exciting returns with the first holes drilled, considering what is known of surficial mineralization, geochem sampling, and structural geology. 

How the new claims may assist is in that having these MAY have been part of a potential deal leading to a partnership, given the partner could find the whole package more attractive - two chances of success being better than one.  In other words, a partner may have withheld making an offer pending approval of these new claims.  In this regard, the new claims MAY lead to drilling of the "old" claims at Hay Mountain, but that does not mean there will be a change in focus as to which claims get drilled first.

...just speculations on the little I think understand.

VP