I posted earlier this year how Altman showed up to present to a group of grass-roots investors in Toronto. I have met the senior management personnel of many juniors and I think Altman is a good person to run ECU. I do not think he is part of the problem.

So what is the problem? There is a cloud of negative sentiment that is weighing on the entire sector, and it is as much an issue for ECU as for any mining stock. ECU is working to achieve long term goals and the market is focused on short term results. That is a problem right off the bat, since the disclosure of positive exploration results is not making a big difference right now. This is being exploited by the bashers on other forums, and contributing to greater uncertainty from the retail investors that are already skittish right now.

I think Altman can lead the company to the next phase of development. It will not happen overnight, and the stock is no fun to own right now, but I do think this company will evolve into a significant producer, either as a JV partner, or through an outright acquisition deal to a major.

cheers!

mike