"If they want Copper why wouldn't they be looking at LBSR Hay Mountain ?   Unless, they want proven reserves and an established mining operation. "

You answered your own question.   Major producers have not been interested in acquiring exploration-phase companies for decades. They buy each other and sometimes the larger of the mid-sized producers.  The best partners for tiny explorers like LBSR are among the smaller of other juniors, producing or not.