I think one of the points the Kitco article makes is that- not only can higher Cu prices- at the new highs- be more of an incentive to proceed with projects- but- that with the POC having been higher over the past year, profits are up and so producing firms have more money to play with. Again- increasing the possibility of expending some of those funds on higher risk endeavors such as unproven exploration- whereas- with tighter money such projects couldn't be considered.