The market is more discriminating for sure , i had initially planned on buying more Tyhee but switched to San gold most of which I picked up in the 60/70c range, its trading at 90c today, so I think the market is telling all companies "prove it!"
most likely there will be a trickle down, people will want to see the senior stocks perform then the junior producers only after that will the explorers get a look in
All that can be said is that events are moving so quickly that I dont think gold investors will have to wait years to see if they are right or wrong