I'm sure many majors with deep pockets and army of lawyers

I don't think the majors would need their lawyers. The vast majority of majors are much, much larger mining companies than Teck.  If a major takes over the 25%, I can't see Teck playing juvenile BS games with them like they have with us.  Teck will play nice with majors that are much larger in market cap:

Glencore:                        $52 Billion
Barrick (looking for CU):  $54 Billion
Southern Copper:            $60 Billion
Newmont:                      $65 Billion
Freeport:                       $65 Billion
BHP:                             $116 Billion
Rio Tinto:                      $120 Billion

Teck:   $16 Billion


Teck's stupid partner-starvation games end the moment Teck gets into bed with any of the majors.