Hi Snug:

What got me last week was Xstrata stating the following.

Diversified mining giant Xstrata Plc (XTA.LN) said Friday
it will immediately restart mining operations at its McArthur River zinc-lead
mine in Australia.

The Zug-based miner will go ahead with the restart of the zinc operation with
a 150,000-metric-ton production capacity annually in the Northern Territory
despite metal prices languishing close to multiyear lows, and as demand outlook
remains gloomy.

"We want to keep producing bulk concentrate so we can keep our existing
customers".

I wonder, at what cost, but I guess it doesn't really matter as long as they can keep their customers.

As far as the ROF plays, I have been increasing at these low prices. They will not stay down here for ever.......RL