They can't afford to mothball this any further...
I just read something interesting in the JV. Teck is to spend up to $60 million on pre-production costs with no dilution to Copper Fox, as we all know. But, they can also spend on Early Works Costs prior to making a production decision.
Early Works Costs are those "incurred prior to a Production Decision for major equipment or infrastructure acquistions or construction that would typically be made in conjunction with or following a Production Decision."
They can just quietly do some of the commissioning of trucks, or whatever, without announcing a production decision. (While they negotiate financing, or a partner to buy us out, or whatever, whatever...)