For me, personally, it was articles like this -http://m.miningweekly.com/article/winmar-withdraws-from-spain-jv-reduces-salaries-by-50-2017-11-14/rep_id:3861
Which was around two weeks prior to Brewers appointment. There we also various indications that the company was to pursue energy metals in the future, but yes, somewhat of a gamble encouraged by the low SP at the time. I believe prior to JB it was 0.001-3 then upwards of 0.006 when Brewer and Airguide were brought it and away it went with talks of DRC.