…2017 was just the first year with a small increase after a huge drop off in exploration activity. It may take many years of future increases to get back to where the activity was in 2012, as projected increases in exploration spending are seen to be slow and steady.

In all the years I have been writing this column (approaching 35) and in my writings elsewhere, I have to admit that I never foresaw the kind of immense changes that have been wrought during the past two months…

Putting it all together, we have indications that the petroleum price increases could continue and we believe that if that is the case, the impact on precious metals would be positive.

...the tax rate for an incorporated, small-scale mine or mining-related business will be reduced from the former 35 percent rate to 21 percent for the 2018 tax year and thereafter.