In a gold mine, the price of gold is a major determinant of the value of the project. 

(a) When the price of gold drops, what real option in the mine may be exercised? 

(b) When the price of gold rises, what real option in the mine may be exercised? 

(c) If the volatility of gold increases and all else remains the same, is it more or less likely for a closed gold mine to reopen? 

(d) If the volatility of gold increases and all else remains the same, is it more or less likely for an open gold mine to close? 

(e) Given that gold production has both fixed and variable costs, which of these is more important in assessing real option value? What are the option analogs to these two types of costs?