RE:Gold Explorers Must Face the hard factsThe hard fact is the producers have a depleting asset base that they must replenish to stay in bussiness the higher prices they have been getting for gold will allow them to buy assets in the ground to ensure their basic survival.over the next 12 to 36 months buying of assets will become a priority to them with strong balance sheets lots of cash but a depleting gold inventory to sell and little in the way of future pipelines of gold in the ground available it's just a matter of time before the exploration companies with assets in the ground become hunted