I was thinking more on the issue of who is buying at $0.50...and...

I was thinking more on the issue of who is buying at $0.50...and perhaps it is TLEA associates....even though as I said, they cannot vote those shares. Could it be that they have concluded that the vote will go against them? If that is their conclusion, it may make sense to acquire a decent interest as a deterrent to a competing bid and stay in the game. If say MIN is already holding a stake in ESS, then TLEA would not want to be caught with their pants down, so to speak, and holding no shares when MIN swoops.

Just speculation on my part. These takeover plays can be fascinating from a tactical point of view.

regards
DF