…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.

...controversy and animosity seem to be steadily increasing, quite possibly to the benefit of our precious metals as gold is now resting comfortably above $1,300—the highest level in more than two years as of mid-February.

One last subject is the performance of gold and silver themselves—which has been positive for more than two months—and to explain the reasoning behind these rallies.