This sort of trading behaviour happens when conditions are ripe...

This sort of trading behaviour happens when conditions are ripe for uncertainty. Such as we have now. The length of time between news releases, no clear outline from management on what their game plan is, repeated failure to meet self imposed deadlines, market turmoil due to geopolitical events etc.

There is very little money in it for the program traders on current volume. IMO the game plan now seems to be to create more uncertainty by steadily driving this down.

The days are long gone when the management of an exploration company can just sit by & rely on drilling results to generate market momentum. I've been singing from the same hymn book for some time now. I continue to be surprised by managements apathy in this regard. After all it affects shareholder sentiment. shareholder wealth, the price at which fresh capital can be raised & to some extent project value in the eyes of a potential purchaser.