It really was an exceptional boom though and there was way too much capital available for companies spruiking just about every element on the periodic table. As a result of the exuberance, there really are no "parachutes" for failed heroes. In previous cycles, they could always find refuge in the latest specialty metal like tantalum or lithium or some other exotic.
But everything has been well and truly sucked dry this time around. Concurrently across all commodities. What could a fallen WA Club Hero find refuge in now?
Vanadium - don't mention Windimurra, Reed or a dozen other hapless V men
Lithium. - GXY did well didn't they,
Rare Earths - Nick's Order of Australia didn't save that value destructive exercise, Hastings, Arafura etc....
Tungsten - at least four wrecks I could mention and one white elephant about to face the music as China floods the market
Graphite - ummm, exactly how many tonnes of "graphene" is traded on the worlds metal exchanges?
Uranium - there are one or two multi decade projects in play, Paladin ain't that shiny now
Nickel - or any base metal, all stuffed
Gold - oh yeah, the west perth boys have a secret method for making abandoned gold mines viable. I have heard you don't need to drill any more, just dig it and believe in yourself.
AGO Price at posting:
1.9¢ Sentiment: Sell Disclosure: Not Held