Not sure if this has been posted, but here it is, with a few remarks.

http://www.kenoraonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7337%3Arickford-still-optimistic-on-ring-of-fire-&catid=1%3Alocal-news&Itemid=158&device=iphone

Remarks in parentheses (....):

- The minister offered some room for joining the province in the creation of a development corporation, which could bring all parties to the table. However, he would still like to see more details, in terms of policy documents or articles of incorporation.

(Minister Rickford is in a better mood after hearing what Premier Wynne had to say at her meeting with PM Harper. Premier Wynne said she's flexible on the Development Corp proposal...Development Corp = Port Authority?).

- However, Rickford would like to see the province work on two main issues: resource revenue sharing and the conclusions of the Mining Commissioner's report on disputes over the location of roads and hydro corridors.

(Yup, make the NS road a service road, not the private road for monster trucks, to fit in with the RR connection to the RoF. KWG should be pleased with that. As I recall, the Commissioner said CLF petition for the easement on KWG claims had no public interest component and encouraged a friendly dialogue between CLF and KWG).

-"I actually just finished literally a meeting with the CEO of Noront, one of the private companies, who have a lot to gain by this process, in terms of their own aspirations to extract nickel from the Ring of Fire site. We're moving ahead," he said.

(Any meeting with KWG/Frank?)

- Perhaps we can bring Cliffs back to the table, but Noront is still very much alive," he added.

(NOT just became the lead horse. At least, they have the Ni project on the table, plus an potential/upcoming chromite mine. This could be a JV, between Black Bird...and Black Horse. But it's always good to leave the door open for CLF to sneak in...to develop BD instead of BT? My take is that, in its current financial shape, CLF cannot do this $3 B project alone by itself, there is a good chance for a major to come in to buy say 36% of CLF to form a majority block with KWG. 34% of BD would bring in good profit for CLF at a much less capex and opex, judging from the return for investment as outlined in their BT plan. They may even forget about the electric arc smelter, a saving of $1.8 B, and opt for the gas-powered chromite conversion facility proposed by KWG. Any guess for a potential major who can take on this job? Hint: It starts with a "B" and ends with an "l".

Just my musings.

goldhunter