Priggly:

The same question arose in my mind. "Force Majeure" in a construction or similar contract is usually invoked when the party invoking it cannot meet its contractual obligations because of an event or situation that is completely beyond its control (acts of God, for instance). That allows the party to avoid contactual penalties that might otherwise result because of its nonperformance. So I gather that the NYMEX declaring F.M. would be an admission on its part that gold and silver that should be deliverable on demand could not be delivered, with the proviso that "it isn't the NYMEX's fault." So talk of this being destabilizing for the price and demand for silver would seem to mean that the price would escalate because supply couldn't meet demand. I guess it would depend on your position in the gold and silver markets at the time whether this "systemic danger" is one to lose sleep over. Perhaps someone here with a legal background could enlighten us further.