http://www.kitco.com/ind/MiningReport/2014-04-23-Night-of-the-Living-Dead-Miners-Rare-Earth-Zombies-Attack-the-ASX-and-TSX.html

I thought about this interview for a few days before posting the link. It paints a very dark picture for junior miners, explorers in particular. But what might make LBSR different in the near term?

1) I suspect many who hold shares are looking for a share price spike when the updated SRK report is finally released. This may well happen, but then what? Without a partnership offer being presented soon thereafter, the PPS will trend downward absent an overall change in market sentiment (and that's not on the horizon going into summer doldrums).

BUT,

2) Neighbor TMBXF recently announced that they have a partner, EuroGas, to provide 5 million dollars toward exporation (http://www.tombstonemining.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165:tombstone-exploration-corporation-acquires-26-interest-in-eurogas-ag-of-switzerland&catid=61:2013-news-releases&Itemid=123).

This deal is on property adjactent to LBSR's Hay Mountain target, and on what many may recognize as a less desirable property on many counts. Based then on the theory of "closeology", LBSR's share price should respond favorably to TMBXF's receipt of exploration permits (in process), and eventually an announced drilling program/schedule. We could then also have a very nice blow off if TMBXF's results are at all close to expectation - remembering that Hay Mountain should be better, based on historical drilling, and MANY other factors.

...not making guesses as to timing, thought. This could take a while.

By the way, I see that TMBXF's funding IS NOT dependent upon the outcome of the partner's lawsuit in the Slovak Republic, where they have already won in the courts and will now be taking the matter to interantional arbitration, a process that can take many years. Interestingly, though, TMBXF was granted a 20 percent interest in this award where the total amount involved is as much as 1.5 billion, or 300 million dollars to TMBXF. But will the Slovak Republic even participate in arbitration if the powers that be have already made up their minds about not returning the property in question (which seems likely)?

Recalling here what happened to Crystallex at Las Cristinas in Venezuela. After many years of fighing Placer Dome and some corrupt officials, they finally won legal rights to the property, did some work and bought machinery to open the mine. Then, Pres. Hugo Chavez refused to grant final permists, and said he would not acknowledge or participate in arbiration. The property today is overrun by garimpeiros, and Crystallex stock is delisted.

Rambling. Sorry.

VP