This sends a message that SLR is now seriously looking at acquisitions and deals which Tonkin alluded to in a recent media interview linked below . He is looking at gold/copper but not Africa.
Canada, USA, Europe are on the list of potential destinations. He can start doing deals now because he has confidence in the balance sheet and knows that in the 12 months SLR will reap the cash flow rewards from the money spent on COB and Imperial. And he has to spend that money either in exploration or acquisition to grow.