I have never heard of a buyout occurring without a shareholder vote. However, I am from the U.S. and things might possibly be different in Canada. However, your question is important because although EE + management can have a majority for whatever they decide, if they must have a shareholder vote to make things official, there will be an announcement, then a shareholder vote, which would give other parties the opportunity to present a better offer.

This would mean that from Teck's standpoint, it would be in their best interest to settle the matter soon, because they could get in a bind if a good feasability study is released before the vote can take place. Everthing Elmer has said has pointed to a very good feasability study coming up.

There is a large amount of evidence that it would be in Teck's best interest to settle the matter as soon as the details of the deal can be worked out, or at least a couple of weeks before the feasability study is released, assuming a vote is required. Obviously, working out the details requires CUU's Counsel to be involved, so it is not surprising that he is blacked out.

Rip