"The stk has sunk to new lows while POG has risen substantially in recent years."

Yep, but during the time you reference, there was not a direct relationship between the gold/metals market and the share price of LBSR because the company's financial situation was deteriorating.  While not greatly improved now, it is better than it was.  Moreover, even as POG has grown in recent years, investors remained uncertain.  Mining stocks were out of favor.

Just in recent weeks, the market is appearing to look again upon hard assets and salivate as it did decades ago.  So if anything is to bring us a partner, it will be this shift.  I could put up scores of links to analyst and broker opinions reaching the same conclusion, the appetite for risk in mining is improving. 

Stand aside if you wish.