Vette - have you asked Elmer specifically that Teck approval is needed to issue the final BFS? I realize from a practical basis it is better to have them signed off, but my impression is as long as the BFS is positive by either generating a NPV of at least $1.00 using a 12% or greater discount rate for a minimum 12 year mine life and 50,000 copper tonnes per year, or by generating a NPV of at least $1.00 using an 8% discount rate over 15 years and 50,000 tonnes per year, then Teck has 120 from receiving the official Feasibility Notice to exercise its back-in option. I would think Teck does not have to approve this one, or have the right to delay its issuance (assuming it is positive) because it is a contractual condition that has been met under the January 1, 2002 agreement and requires a contractual response by Teck within 120 days of being officially notified.

When I talked with Elmer a few weeks back, he indicated that that the clock does start ticking once Teck has been officially notified, but also said in the real world, he wants to make sure Teck is onside with everything before starting that clock, which is why they have been involved all the way though the process and even have access to the report generation website at Tetra Teck. I didn't specifically ask him if Teck had to sign off, but I got the impression he will not wait too long to start that clock. He said that we only have one shot at the BFS news release and did not want to waste its exposure over the holiday period. I just assumed from that if the BFS isn't out by mid-December, it will be held until mid January. But I also got the impression he really wants it out this month. I think (Elmer didn't say) that there are suitors waiting in the wings to see the BFS and Teck's reaction and who may submit a bid for CUU's position in Schaft Creek (25-100%) and additional mineral fields and Elmer wants to get the ball rolling.

Now, having said all that, he may have been expecting more drill results to be out by now and that may figure into the timing of the release as others have speculated. Certainly is a fun stock to talk about!

You're more up on this than I am, so if you know for sure that Teck has to sign off, I'd love to know because I would think that would almost guarantee a January BFS release instead of the next 2 weeks.