Here is an indepth look at Teck's new VP of Exploration, Alex Christopher back in 2006. It is very telling of the mind set Teck is in right now. If indeed you are going to make a giant purchase to expand your early development portfolio you put one of your best guys in a position to manage it properly. The fact that Christopher was appointed recently means Teck is ready to do some major business. Check it out:

where Alex Christopher plies his trade. As general manager, new ventures, at Teck Cominco, he's the guy who brokers deals with juniors for one of Canada's largest miners. Inside Teck's exploration group, they call him "the Closer."

Indeed, big companies compete for bragging rights as the partner that brings the best mix of money, operating smarts and intuition to the table. Teck likes to call itself "the partner of choice." It's Christopher's job to make the label fit.

Only about one in a hundred deposits has what it takes. "But it's not discouraging," Christopher says. "It's reality. Most geologists consider that to be involved in one major discovery in your career is pretty good."

Naturally, there's always tension between what the junior company or prospector believes their deal is worth and what Teck is willing to pay. This is where Christopher's methodical, quiet style pays off.

"He's fair, thorough, there are no surprises," says Michael Gray, a veteran of both small and large mining companies who is now a mining analyst at Pacific International Securities in Vancouver. "He works very hard to get a deal done, and he respects the junior's time frame. He understands that something that's not very important financially to Teck might be very important to a junior."

Christopher says. He has to consider political risk. Likewise, commodity markets: A project that's a slam dunk at today's heady metal prices might not look so appealing if prices retreat.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/pros-of-profit-company-no-22/article1105067/