If money starts coming back into this sector, it can only compound the effects from exploration successes. Mining has been beaten up far too long in what remains an otherwise rising long-term trend for metals and mining shares.

EXTRACT - "Last month Citigroup Inc. upgraded its 12-month view on the industry to bullish from neutral, its first such call in three years. The bank cited rising optimism that demand for raw materials from China, the biggest buyer, will remain resilient. Improving growth out of the U.S. and Europe may also support prices, Citigroup said."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-03/mining-s-dormant-8-billion-of-private-equity-seen-reviving-m-a.html

This story, however, is more about producers than explorers, though I suspect any bullish trend will spread across all markets for imining and mining-related shares.

VP