RE: Was yesterday’s RNS the first revelation of a strategic master stroke?1 Dec 2020 17:24
SocialistB,
I for one welcome your questioning of the deal and providing a contrarian view. I shared your initial thoughts immediately upon reading the RNS and think many others did too.
Its hard to speculate why these arrangements were made in the manner they were, but clearly there was some pressure for concessions from Greatland. Personally I think this was due to the overly generous Havieron arrangement. I believe that Newcrest would have had to make an offer for Havieron or the entire company, possibly soonish, and the likely fear from GGP board was that this offer would be lower than the potential value of what Greatland has in the ground. Lets face it if they offered 60p a share they would likely get the company. Far lower than some, including me, believe it to be worth.
From Newcrest's perspective there is also a risk of Greatland entering in to arrangements with other majors in the area so am surprised Scallywag wasn't included. I think the timing of arrangement is linked to Telfer. I think it is a priority for Newcrest hence the deal. Its getting more and more expensive to keep.
Of course this is speculation, but there is no doubt that both companies are now closely attached (even at the hip) with any success benefiting both parties.
Lots of prospecting next year we hope with cash not being an issue.
S