This is exactly my question. A lot of plausible answers....

This is exactly my question. A lot of plausible answers. However, a management team who’s primary focus is to fast-track production and minimise capex and opex no longer seems to be part of the picture here, which is and always has been a proven strategy.

perhaps they are stretching for something bigger, and perhaps they will succeed. but perhaps they are biting off more than they can chew - which would be a shame because an easy path to profitable production and a ten bagger for holders was dangling right in front of them.