Ann: Gulf to undertake Due Diligence on Manganese Mine, page-29

There is always the possibility that the DSO won't be granted.
Purchasing the mine has the added benefit of shoring up supply, in addition to other local supply.
If DSO is permitted, Manganese will potentially come from our own mine rather than from someone else's.
One is not mutually exclusive to the other, however, if anything, I would say it shows we are serious about production and would further enhance the possibility of a DSO. IMO.