The ultimate zombie stock? ... it could well be, page-5

Googled it : Zombies often become casualties to the high costs associated with certain operations, such as research and development. Most analysts expect zombiecompanies to be unable to meet their financial obligations. Also known as the "living dead" or "zombie stocks".

.. yep that pretty well sums up mining exploration stocks .. usually they say that the best mining that exploration stocks do is mine shareholders pockets .. hence the speccy nature and rare recommendation from brokers apart from people who specialise in this space like big Tone Loc.

But most are in it for one reason .. growth potential likely due to a JV or similar. So the real question is the timeframe in which something like that happens, and how patient we are ! Wouldnt bet the house on it but its certainly worth a small portfolio weighting and be prepared to lose it if things dont play out.. or else have your $ somewhere else !