This is quite interesting! Solid post Kinte.

I will add in something to make you're thesis more plausible....point 4:

They added Mark Brown to the board of Directors!

In a very silent and covert way. Wasn't even news released! They canned Erik! The weakest of the bunch? No news to even thank him for the many years of support to Copper Fox as an insider/board member. This is beside the point....

Back to Mark....why add him now as a director?

I think to allow him to privy material developments such as Teck talks, more detailed discussion on CUU value, inside info that he wouldn't get otherwise as a contract CFO. Remember, Elmer boosted about him being an M&A guy with large corporate experience including spin-outs, big financing guy.