There is much banter on this site trying to determine when the MIRA, or the BFS will

be revealed, and all the possibilities when these events happen.

One major over-riding concern is the probablility of a new, less friendly socialist

government being established in British Columbia when the provincial election is held

in May. Electors have a love/hate relationship with the overtly left wing party,

putting them into power for two consecutive terms about every 20 years. New mines, and

expansion is non existant during these intervals. The last two miserable experiences were

in the '70's and the 90's. Recent polls show the socialists running 20 percentage points

higher than the current Liberal government.

Teck may, under these circumstances, want to renegotiate, or delay, any decision until

the Spring.