I agree that the gold assets are of no use to BHP. But what BHP...

I agree that the gold assets are of no use to BHP. But what BHP could get via NCM is:
-14% of SolGold
-Blockcave expertise
-Wafi-Golpu which is predominately a copper body

The only way that could get these is if they took the whole company over then stripped it back.

I doubt that it will happen as well. BHP/NCM tie up was simply being made as it's the most probable re the major players.

I think NCM will stay the course. They'll produce more free cashflow this year, chip away at their very small debt pile and be extremely well funded for growth (cadia, Wafiu, Solgold)