If GCO has the goods like expected, I would not be surprised to see a buyout offer after the release of the resource estimate. A cash injection from the Chinese is also a huge possibility, and is more than likely what will happen. The Chinese are not doing all this prep work just to walk away, especially IF we have the goods.
Something else to notice is the Kazakhstan border which is only 40km away from the Karakul site. I would not be surprised to see some interest from that side of the border as well.