(7th Cir. Mar. 4, 2016)

(6th Cir. B.A.P. Mar. 3, 2016)

(6th Cir. B.A.P. Mar. 3, 2016)

(Bankr. S.D. Ind. Feb. 24, 2016)

The past several years have not been kind to commodities exploration companies.  The price of gold dropped to $1,051/oz. in November 2015, a level that had not been seen since 2009.  Although the price of gold rebounded somewhat in January and February 2016 to just over $1,200/oz., the price has steadily decreased after peaking at $1,921/oz. in August 2011.  The price of silver has also decreased dramatically, with its price off 60% from the 2011 highs.  Copper has not escaped this trend, and was recently selling for just over half of its 2011 price.

(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Feb. 18, 2016)

(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Feb. 16, 2016)

(Bankr. S.D. Ind. Feb. 16, 2016)

(Bankr. E.D. Ky. Feb. 12, 2016)

(S.D. Ind. Feb. 8, 2016)

The district court affirms the bankruptcy court’s decision holding that the debtor was collaterally estopped from challenging the amount of the mortgage lender’s claim. The lender had obtained judgment in a prepetition state court foreclosure action, in which the debtor had presented the same arguments regarding the loan balance calculation. The district court finds that the doctrine of collateral estoppel applies and the claim amount could not be re-litigated in the bankruptcy. Opinion below.