Frankly Safe, I am so beat up emotionally over this investment right now I just hope what you said is true. Your logic is sound though, but we've been down this road too many times in the past only to be de-railed.

I actually had a terrible thought last night - what if Ecuador has turn off so many investors (due to political instability) that they just avoid it like the plague (hence no takeover bids)? After all you did mention the constant change of government in its recent history. The ARU gold find is great but unlike oil it is not a diminishing commodity and not an industrial essential energy. They can always look for more politically stable countries, like Peru next door.

May be I am just too beat up on this and keep looking for the other shoe to drop.