I think gold and gold stocks have bottomed and we could see a...

I think gold and gold stocks have bottomed and we could see a move higher at any time. It might be a couple of months as you fear, but it could just as easily be days or weeks.

If gold does take off, the merger should not hold SLR back from trending up from here.
Don't forget the share price has dropped already post merger so the market has had some time to factor it in already.
It seems to have settled, so now may be able to move with both POG.