I think big producers generally want immediate results when you buy a non producer anything can happen. However I think that smaller producers that do not want to swallowed up by a big producer had better be in active discussions for friendly mergers. Barrick produces 8 million ounces a year at under $400 oz . That leaves them a mountain of cash what do you do with it. Special dividend or buy to keep your income up when the price of gold falls. I think the latter at least that is how I am looking a it now and I am buying producers because they will have to protect themselves if they want to become midtier producers. I have also hooked onto GDW as a pure speculation based on it's location next to New pacific. It is a silver play and I say follow the money (sprott).