I agree that going back to lower grades would extend mine life; but I personally believe, with backing by very long term charts produced by Eric DeGroot, that the gold price will very soon begin its vertical ascent. Enough of the "french curve" of the lows exists to project the major vertical run (the bubble) starting to take place in the next two or three years.

If Tyhee adopts the large mill approach and goes big with a big loan, I would be in favor of producing (within reason) as much as we can as soon as we come online with the permits.

I would sell enough of the gold to carry on the mining operation and essentially "vault" the remainder as the price should be rising and continue to rise in the early portion of the operation. Sinclair's projected price based on his methodology for calling the 80's top projects to nearly $12,500/ oz U.S. Many others have cited similar numbers. Why sell it all for the $2000 price when the insane portion of the bull market hasn't even begun? Why mine dirt and not have the ability to sell gold if the price rises more quickly than anticipated?

One of the brilliant strategies of Rob McEwen is to keep much of his companies' cash in bullion which doesn't lose its value.

I don't think the governments of this world are going to hold together all that much longer. I would rather be mining gold and selling only what we need to sell (or choose to sell based on political realities) than to be mining dirt. Also I think everyone understands my position on debt from my last post. Be done with it: the sooner the better. The name of the game in the environment soon to be upon us is to be free from debt and free from counter party risk.

P.