A very accurate post and the same things you state were discussed by AUM management in the conference call, they have expert opinions that capital invested will produce significant results at the ECU mining operations and expect production expansion to become a primary driver of growth going forward compared to the present situation where ECU tried to increase production results on a tight shoe-string budget while funding exploration and final property payments.

ECU management were committed to no further dilution to it's shareholders but couldn't quite earn enough capital to really accelerate the production growth profile and fund property payments and exploration after buying the mill and getting it quickly operational, this includes upgrading the mine itself. It was and has been a real catch 22, shareholders against dilution but not quite enough monies coming in to really move faster and solve the issues that require capital investment. Raising money was never the issue as ECU could get all the money it wanted from the investment community, it was the price of this money and we all know about that from the past events at ECU.

Many people have commented on or wanted ECU to get a strategic partner or JV deal for quite some time to assist in moving forward at a faster pace. It appears to me this deal brings operational expertise, money, good balance sheet and a good stable of exploration properties from AUM including what may prove to be a flagship property that could rival Santa Juana.

At this point I plan to sit on my hands and hold my stock/warrants and continue to build my information base on AUM management and their vision but so far I like what I see and hear. I do however reserve the right to change my mind and view should the circumstance or my understanding of the information change.

So I don't really see it as throwing in the towel as much as adding more towel and reducing risk in what is still a difficult market and credit environment.