1.   The company said it will explore ways to improve the return on mining the deposit.

2.   If the company found a valuable mineral deposit, they argued, federal regulation would essentially ensure that it could mine that deposit.

3.   Knox said studies will take another year to be completed, adding that his company has not requested a permit to mine the deposits.

4.   The mining law is expected to finally guarantee foreign investors the right to mine deposits they discover.

5.   The move also raises questions about what role a potential Bre-X partner, Barrick Gold of Toronto, will play in mining the deposit.

6.   Last month, Barrick said it received a letter from the Indonesian government confirming that Barrick and Bre-X could set up a company to mine the deposits.