The prospect of higher US interest rates, a stronger US dollar, and the potential for weaker economic growth rates has triggered a drop in commodity prices. In addition, a comment by a large generalist fund’s manager that his gold allocations have gone from ‘significant’ to ‘almost zero’ seems to reflect the apathy that pervaded the recent Denver Gold Forum in Colorado. In this turbulent environment, my focus continues to be on companies with assets that have the potential to fill the project pipeline of M&A suitors.  In The Rant, an ill-thought-out proposal to amend the US General Mining Law of 1872 by adding royalties on operations sitting on public lands is bound to fail. In Stock Talk, an Australian precious metal explorer raises funds to consolidate and test its land package in northern Queensland. Junior explorers looking for nickel in Vietnam and precious metals in Nevada, Alaska, and DR Congo report drill results. A Nevada-focused gold developer goes underground.