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Fortycent, I think you have misjudged the new factors that have emerged vis-a-vis the BRIC countries and their demand. Specifically, there is no systemic reason as to why the should collapse. The BRIC countries are driving growth predominantly through infrastructure spending and domestic growth - not by hocking cheap, low value added products off to middle class westerners. Looking at the demand dynamics from this perspective, there is good reason to believe in a stronger for longer outlook for commodities. This isn't to say that mining companies are impervious to a down turn, every company in the world is. However, when considering demand dynamics coming out of BRIC countries in conjunction with intensity of use levels of commodities on a historical basis versus western economies and combined with rising commodity consumption per person in these countries, I think that well thought out investments in high-quality producers will not end in blood shed as you suggest.