Because he couldn't afford tooperate even small mines, he closed them all, shrank his Denver office to 14 people and decided to emulate a couple of larger, royalty-based rivals.
This is effectively a financing instrument which further details not only the potash reserves by perhaps shooting 3D seismic but also specifically itemizes the cost to construct and operate the mines.
It is also needed for operations against future adversaries who will employ large numbers of mobile missile systems as well as mines and submarines that force the carriers tooperate far from the enemy's coast.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent, Jonathan Marcus, says the exploitation of these mines underscores Tehran's determination to master and operate the full scope of the nuclear fuel cycle from uranium extraction, processing, enrichment and ultimately the manufacture of nuclear fuel.