Impressions of VancouverAttending the Vancouver show was an interesting and inspiring experience this year. While the number of exhibiters was greatly diminished, probably because cash strapped companies couldn't justify or afford the expense, the attendance was at least equal to or greater than the June show (a record breaker) last year. Dr. Robinson's presentation was the most compelling of the three in the workshop where he presented and traffic at the Eastmain booth was brisk in response.I'd say our price action of late, helped by the run in bullion of course, is also testament to this.
I echo previous posters comments and would just like to add a couple of observations of my own. Dr Robinson and Ms. Butella were both enthusiastic about the coming year. In '09 they expect to have a scoping study completed on Eau Claire. Worth noting is the fact that Goldcorp bought the Eleonore deposit from Virginia well in advance of a scoping study or even a definite resource estimate. Even when I spoke to Dr. Robinson last October, when the fertilizer was hitting every fan in the room, he expected that 36 months would be the possible timeline for a sale of Eau Claire.
Also of note, Dr. Robinson seemed, how should I put it?, more mercenary in his attitude to vending ER's projects. He implied that the relationship with Goldcorp, although still solid, would not stand in the way of other interested parties buying assets from ER. Goldcorp still has the right of first refusal to participate in any new discoveries but all of ER's projects are in play for any interested partners.
Despite the recent carnage in the sector I found a lot of reasons for optimism in the speakers hall and a more subdued atmosphere in the exhibit hall, although the ER booth was an exception, lots of optimism here. Keep the faith, good times are ahead for the shareholders of Eastmain. All this is, of course, is just my humble opinion.