Well- isn't this interesting. Finally- coming around to what some of us have been saying for years. Mr. Big- incompetent as an explorer- incompetent as a mining manager- despite his "sterling" credentials in that area- and incompetent as a businessman- apparently incapable of doing the important business of a President and CEO- being unable to find and conclude a deal for drilling to advance the company.

Despite PO's maybe or maybe not ironic praise- BG has never shown himself to try to act in anyone's interest but his own. So- I suspect if he were throwing in the towel with LBSR I would presume he would be leaving lock stock and barrel. Which not only has he not done- but, as RS points out- just recently purchased subtantially more shares. So- it seems most likely that he/PO- or both have finally concluded that BG was just not up to the task- and that BG's own interests would be better served without himself at the helm. I suppose it's also possible that he may be stepping down for altogether unrelated reasons- such as illness, for example ( which I would not wish for even him). It's likely we'll never know- at least in the short term. 

So- this does leave the door open for some optimism. Maybe it is an indication of a deal in the works- that would also explain their recent share purchases. As WillyD suggests- a new and bigger partner might likely want their own and a more competent CEO. Maybe- it has been realized that BG is incapable of finding and concluding a deal and so finally it made sense to bring in someone with better prospects. Maybe there is someone interested in arranging a deal- but not with BG. Or- maybe someone has realized that this whole RRC business is a crock and wanted to turn back to HM- but BG was resisting. 

I guess the bottom line is- with what little information we have- it's unlikely to be worse- and likely to be better. I just hope BG's successor is someone with exploration/mining and business acumen. VP has listed several possibilities. I think this can only be good. Less BG the better. It's just interesting that there is so little market response. Maybe that's just because there's not much market. Hopefully that will change with positive news.