minty - i think FAO indicated earlier that the deal was sort of out of their hands and the sticking point was the chinese obtaining certain licenses. I reckon it's still very much on and they would have had to tell us if otherwise. I don't feel there is much downside to the deal not coming off, as i think most short term punters (and where's COD?) have got bored and sold out. For me the deal is a possible big bonus, i'm more interested in what's going to be coming out of the ground. There will be a funding issue but, if the drilling results impress, then it should'nt affect the sp much.