"I've never understood exactly how folks figure that Tck pulls strings with Cuu."
The logic is that the BFS by contract forces a number of actions to be initiated by Teck
1. convey the Liard shares
2. plan a CUU controlled JV within 60 days to begin mine development
3. start a 120 click on the backin decision
4. start a 4 year clock on earning their interest in the mine
It is reasoned by some, me included, that Teck would like to either avoid these actions altogether, by a buyout of CUU's interests in Schaft Creek, or have their game plan established prior to the triggering BFS release
Among other things, a plan for financing the startup CAPEX would be a complex exercise, expecially if the speculation that Teck would be partnering with the Chinese or another major in bringing the district to production is accurate
For these reasons, and because I don't think Elmer is particularly keen to go into the mine development business here, I think he may be co-operating with Teck to give them time to get their ducks in a row
That being said, he must be feelong pressure from the CUU side to drop the BFS