Let's hope the AUMN:SLV ratio is soon back at or above where it was at the open on June 24, 2011. If the ratio was at that level, AUMN would be at $24.78.

At the Open on June 24, 2011:

ECU.TO - $.98

AUMN: - $20.12

SLV: - $33.95

SIL: - $23.30

Today:

ECU.TO - $.70

AUMN: - $14.16

SLV: - $41.81

SIL: - $28.48

GOLDEN, COLORADO and TORONTO--(Marketwire - 06/24/11) - Golden Minerals Company (AMEX:AUMN - News) (TSX:AUM - News) ("Golden Minerals") and ECU Silver Mining Inc. (TSX:ECU - News) ("ECU") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine the two companies creating a new leading junior silver mining company with a portfolio of growth projects, primarily in Mexico and Argentina. The combined company will retain the Golden Minerals name and remain headquartered in Golden, Colorado. The combination of Golden Minerals and ECU (the "Transaction"), which represents a merger of equals, has been unanimously agreed to by the boards of directors of Golden Minerals and ECU, and both boards of directors will be recommending that their respective shareholders vote in favor of the proposed Transaction.