RE: Reason25 Jan 2024 23:56
Subby probably two things have impacted the SP of late.
Firstly, a lack of news whilst investors await both the revised PFS and the strategic review. This has led to a low trading volume and increased volatility.
Secondly, the recent violence in Ecuador has certainly spooked some investors. You ask the cause and I'll try to explain what's behind it. I could simply say cocaine but it's not that simple. Ecuador is an attractive shipping port for drugs because its sandwiched between two top cocaine producers, Colombia and Peru. Furthermore they are the world's biggest exporters of bananas, meaning large containers are regularly shipped to the US and Europe and are perfect for hiding drugs. Furthermore two Mexican cartels have ensured Ecuador now account for 30% of the cocaine shipped across the globe. These cartels (who recruit the local gangs) are behind the violence as they fight each other for control of the territory. Its compounded by the Mexicans changing from paying the gangs in cash and now paying then in drugs, which in turn increased the violence. The current President of Ecuador. Daniel Noboa has designated 20 of these drug trafficking gangs as terrorist groups and authorised the military to 'neutralise' them, ie a shoot to kill policy. Its important to note the areas affected do not, and have not, affected any mining operations and as SOLG are doing minimal work at the moment, it wouldn't have affected them anyway.
So in summary, some are concerned and have moved on. Most are waiting for news on the revised feasibility study, which the company have said will be 'early Q1' and the strategic review, which is open ended but I assume will come shortly after the PFS.