First off, a Teck employee will never discuss company plans or strategy.

I am sure they don't want to be fired from their job. You need to take this guy's remarks with a grain of salt. 

A treasurer would not have access to high level project decisions on planning or asset purchases until it is public to all company employees. I assume only senior executives would have private knowledge of mining sales in negotiations before any other until a public announcement.

Only a hand full of people at the discussion table would have material information of substance.