Ann: Retraction of study expansion announcement, page-47

Its just the usual slide after a euphoric high around good news (the conglomerate story) followed by a long period of not much in the way of exciting news. Hell, the old DEG slid from something like 50c or more down to 0.1c before the 20 for one consolidation. And that was all on excitement around drilling intercepts in the Turner River area. But with slow news between drilling campaigns, a lack of really exciting intercepts, a slow build-up of proven reserves, and increasing difficulty in attracting funds, it did the slow backwards slide all the way to 0.1c. Yes they had a few sideways adventures (Beyondie copper/gold) and Patagonia (an incredibly stupid loss of focus and basic mis-understanding of sovereign risk) but the vast majority was just the plain old exploration of the region that we are still in now. This time we have better funding for the drilling, a resource that is close to being economic grade and volume, and some strong partners who have invested in us, but we also have some real financial needs in the next six months to year that risk massive dilution via placements and other forms of capital raising. The same factors that drove the SP to 0.1c before. All it takes is one great intercept at somewhere new like Farno to ignite enthusiasm, or likewise more great news from NOVO around economics and grade of conglomerates, or improved certainty around economics of mining to stabilise the the SP, but it is all a toss of the dice really. One I'm happy to go with knowing the potential of this region, but as per last time, I'm also well aware that the SP may yet return to 0.1c but choose to take that punt. Fortune favours the brave, so for me DEG remains a well-informed punt with plenty of upside along with the downside risk.