"Seems like a rather small amount for some of these other larger mining companies or investment entities."

"Large mining companies" have been out of the exploration business for a long time now. Phelps Dodge, now Freeport, was among the last, so don't look for help coming from that direction. ...and since the financial crisis, banks and other traditional sources of funds have been regulated out of the market.

As you point out, that leaves "other investment entities". Most of these at present have a declining appetite for risk.

By this I am not saying LBSR will fail at finding money, only trying to futher explain what they/we are up against.

VP