"Well saw a headline today on mining.com that SNL* Metals & Mining predicts a "wave of mining deals" this year."

Yes, that's likely, but very much more so for producers than explorers. Explorers continue being killed in the worst shakeout I've ever seen, and I've been in this market sector for more decades than I care to count.

Lack of risk capital is the issue. I read the other day that two-thirds of the exploration mining companies listed in Canada technically no longer qualify for listing. That's several hundred companies that are effectively out of business, having either no remaining interest in claims they once held, and/or no way of paying overhead to keep the lights on.

LBSR is not quite in the same position, although it surely feels like it. Good news can change that. Those Canadia companies (and others here too), if they don't close shop, will have to sit around awaiting the next leg in the market cycle, and who can tell when that will happen.