why has this ground to a halt?, page-5

Flamecojazz,

No problem with the MLX management. They collectively have a strong track record of value adding so this is sure to play out in the MLC business model sooner or later. I guess that is where the patience comes in? As for their assets, very few would argue that they are potentially world class. The Renison tin mine is already world class and is poised to significantly improve on current numbers.
There is an economic dynamic at play here with tin relating to a dwindling global tin resource (particularly out of China and Indonesia)and an increasing demand for tin. As the world economy grows and discretionary spending abates at the retail level, this demand will get even stronger particularly in the area of electonics manufacturing etc. This dynamic is already pushing the LME tin price toward 25000 USD/MT.

I agree with you re institutions entering the market again after a lengthy hiatus but eventually this will spread to the riskier small/mid cap market. There are also instos that specifically target small cap companies with growth prospects and I would have thought that MLX fits that bill well. They are already generating actuals and these are forecast to grow strongly as the secondary gold/copper/nickel projects kick in. I see MLX as a future WMC. They all started from similar humble beginnings with a handful of promising prospects. It should provide a certain level of comfort to all shareholders that MLX has $80m in the bank and for all intent and purposes, is free of any corporate debt with a focused management that are serious about building a robust and profitable diversified mining operation.