Yes.

I have shares in a company where they have 20% of the proceeds with a major gold propducer-JV.

They are producing. The smaller company is suspcious about the way their stock is trading.

They think the major producer is knocking the price down so they can frustrate the shareholders and make a low ball offer for the 20%.

Might the producer also choose less them ideal drilling targets so as to keep the excitment down?? I would say maybe yes to that as well.