IMA Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE: IMR)(AMEX: IMR)(FRANKFURT: IMT)(WKN 884971) is on the hunt for a major acquisition. Despite the hemorrhaging ongoing in equity markets, IMA is cashed up and aggressively seeking advanced, near-term production assets to sink its considerable technical teeth into.

At today's prices, IMA is trading at more than a 30% discount to its cash position. That's like buying $1 for less than 70 cents!

IMA Exploration doesn't need to raise another dollar and is in an ideal position to make acquisitions and advance exploration for at least five years. In fact, they are currently reviewing several opportunities that would see them supplying the equity needed to secure debt financing for other cash-strapped juniors to get their near-term projects into production. This could lead to huge revenue streams for IMA. Normally, these opportunities are only available to the majors but the de-capitalization of the sector has brought valuations and price tags for advanced assets to near historic lows. It's not rare right now, to find companies with market caps at a fraction of the amount of money they have poured into the ground in proving up their feasible assets. Usually, exploration success leads to shareholder success, not in these markets! Cash and cash flow are king.

Currently, the junior mining sector is in total shock from the recent reversal of fortune. Every CEO thinks their stock is incredibly undervalued and as a result very little merger and acquisition is happening right now. Valuations can't be agreed upon. You can almost hear the air escaping the balloon as the mining sector has been among the hardest hit sectors. Once the cash poor companies burn through the last of their survival money and begin to face the real possibility of going broke, there is going to be a flurry of M&A activity. This happens during every market cycle. When the dust settles on the Canadian mining sector's long and painful de-capitalization, it will be the companies who observed the mantra of "cash is king" that will scoop up the many quality assets at the market bottom and live to mine another day. How do you think the Barrick's and the Goldcorp's of the world were created? By surviving through market corrections and expanding during market lows by acquiring out of favour assets.

IMA is currently reviewing and evaluating several flagship deals. This market meltdown has opened a window for the cash rich companies to further bolster their assets and reallocate exploration capital to acquisition capital. It's as if the market has come to them, by sitting back and preserving their cash they have increased their buying power. Many of the assets that IMA has had on the radar screen since as far back as March and April have come down in value by as much as 50%, 60% or 70%. In these markets, a company can buy better drill results through acquisition then they can through traditional exploration, something rarely seen in the industry, but a signal that can't be missed by the cash-rich companies.

IMA is led by Joseph Grosso, one of the early pioneers of the mining sector in Argentina in 1993 when mining was opened to foreign investment. His knowledge of Argentina and his Latin background were instrumental in attracting a premier team which led to the acquisition of key properties in Argentina and the successful negotiations with Viceroy Resource Corporation. Mr. Grosso was the creator and founder of Minas Argentinas S.A. His specialty is financing, corporate and marketing strategy. Mr. Grosso is founder and President of Grosso Group Management Ltd., a company providing strategic counsel and assistance with financing to emerging private and public companies.

Dr. David Terry, a registered professional geologist, is the company's senior vice president of exploration, and his 15 years of experience included international project management, management of exploration programs for both major and junior mining companies, as well as independent consulting assignments. He was formerly a Regional Geologist with the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines and has worked for numerous mining companies including Boliden Limited, Westmin Resources Limited, Hemlo Gold Mines Inc., Cominco Limited and Gold Fields Mining Corporation.

IMA's shares are trading at more than a 30% discount to cash value, which is remarkable, even by current market condition standards. It is dually-listed on the AMEX and the TSX Venture exchanges under the symbol IMR providing good liquidity for investors. In fact, in the height of the economic meltdown in September, IMA reached a new 3 month high! Again, it's remarkable that companies such as this have been able to reach such low share prices having abundant amounts of the best asset out there.cold, hard cash!

More information can be obtained by visiting the company's web site at http://www.imaexploration.com or contact Keir Reynolds, Manager of Corporate Communications at 604-687-1828 or info@imaexploration.com

Darryl Kelley is the metals editor at Resourcex Investor, a premium source of news and investment ideas for individuals seeking information about emerging companies in the resource sector. Find our more by visiting http://www.ResourcexInvestor.com.

This article is intended for information purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation to buy or sell securities in any company. The information is derived from sources believed to be reliable but no warranty thereof is expressed or implied.

Resourcex Investor received a fee for the preparation and distribution of this article, but neither Resourcex Publishing nor its employees or affiliates have received any further compensation for this article. At the time of publication, none of Resourcex Publishing's staff or affiliates own any shares in the company herein described, though shares may be purchased in the future.