The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, July 21, edition that Canada's junior mining sector is once again attracting fresh capital and new investors. The Globe's Ian McGugan writes that Ernst & Young vice-president Michelle Grant says the recent outburst of enthusiasm is centred on gold miners. She expects acquisition activity in the sector to pick up speed in the months ahead as companies look for ways to ride the upswing in precious metals prices. She says, "There's a new fear of missing out." The abrupt shift in attitude demonstrates -- once again -- the tendency of miners and mining investors to jump from despair to euphoria, and vice versa. Ego and a desire for scale will drive some transactions, she says. In other cases, mid-tier or larger companies with operations in risky locales will be looking to acquire rivals with properties in safer political jurisdictions. Ms. Grant points to Centerra Gold's deal to acquire Thompson Creek Metals as an example of this trend. The transaction earlier this month was motivated in large part by Centerra's desire to balance the uncertainties surrounding its mine in Kyrgyzstan with Thompson Creek's more stable operations in British Columbia.