Straws in the wind, reading tea leaves, or poking around in sheep’s entrails are the usual methods used by Dryblower to judge whether his senses are pointing him in the right direction.
But, on this occasion it was a press release from the man in question which first raised the possibility of dramatic change for our Andrew.
Anaconda Nickel, the business created by Andrew, said it was “investigating the most sensible manner through which the real value of non-nickel/cobalt assets can be realised”
With those words was summoned up the creation of Anaconda Industries, a business which will own the bits and pieces assembled by Andrew in his scramble to be the biggest businessman between Leonora and the Warburton Ranges.
What a collection. Into AI goes “projects” involving chemicals, fertilisers, magnesium, tantalum, niobium, titanium, energy, water and infrastructure.
At first glance it seems a sensible move. Splitting off the bits ands pieces should enable the real Anaconda to concentrate on doing what it was created for, produce low-cost nickel and cobalt.
As for the other “projects” in AI, hmmnn. Some of those are what can only be called long shots.
And, here comes the tricky bit. Andrew said, and Dryblower quotes him to the word: “Anaconda Industries will be resourced with appropriate management” … and he then said that AI will have the objective of “developing an industrial asset portfolio”
Now, Dryblower may be suspicious old codger but he reckons that a key member of the management team about to set up AI will be young Andrew himself.
Consider the evidence, and assumptions. Anaconda’s, Murrin Murrin project has been a remarkable engineering feat. Pity that it is taking so long to work properly.
Two, big, shareholders are peering over Andrew’s shoulder, and asking on a daily basis, “how’s it going, cobber” – try saying that with a South African, or Swiss accent.
Anglo American and Glencore have tipped hundreds of millions of dollars into Anaconda and Murrin Murrin. They are keen to get a buck back.
The really big boys of business also know two other facts. First, it is not wise to be distracted by alternative investment concepts when you should be focussing on the real job at hand. Second, the start-up crew is not always the best team to run a project once it is operational.
Is it possible, just remotely possible, that AI is a boat into which Andrew will jump (as “appropriate management”) while Anglo and Glencore either settle their differences, and/or take firmer direct control over the Murrin Murrin and associated nickel projects?
Is it possible that Anglo American helped Andrew design the good ship AI, provisioned it with a bit of capital, suggested Andrew be the captain – and now proposes to stand on the dock and watch Andrew out into unchartered waters for his next “big adventure”
Hmmnn! It is possible, isn’t it?
