ICD,

Your post says: "It would take a buyout, a startegic partner or maybe an off take."

Quite true!

Unlike other business like gold, a graphite company would need to line up potential customers for its products. This is even more important than financing, since there would be no point to try to arrange financing for building the mine and required facilities to produce the stuff if there are no buyers. Usually, these things would be intertwined. A strategic partner, e.g. a big name marketer or producer of high quality batteries for e-cars or storage applications, could be the same entity that would provide (some/all) financing and take part or all of the products. Once this is lined up, the graphite company may go to the market for equity financing for the balance, if required.

A takeover could come from an integrated producer that sees the potential of the company and its graphite products. I would also hope that a TO would occur within the next 12 months. Others may have more patience.

goldhunter