greaseM,

It costs a bit of money to build the slurry pipe to transport the mix across the river to go from the site to Webequie Junction. In addition, the have to provide pumping power (local diesel gene) and dryer to dry up the surry before the stuff can be put in small/medium size (not monster) trucks to bring it down to near the CN RR for transferring to train cars. If may be possible to do this for the projected life span of Eagle, but transportation by train through the NS route is cheaper and they would switch to the RR when that becomes available.

THere was some discussion about slurry pipe versus industrial road (the bit connecting Webequie Jct to the site). The industrial road is a multi-purpose insfrastucture compared to the slurry pipe which is for specific application. The pros for the industrial road are

- joint venture for NOT and KWR (and others)

- they need a road to bring the stuff in for the development of Eagle, and later to get at the chromite deposits (BH and BB...the 2 companies mentioned above have as much chromite compared to what CLF has). Note also that KWG or NOT can get a JV with PRB to develop BC as well (deposit is quite shall and is ready to go)...remember that BC used to belong to NOT?

NOT, KWG and others including the deep-pocket (700 lb gorilla) sitting in NOT corner) can provide funding to build this road (one wild guess: say around $50-80M and could be considered as part of the CapEx for Eagle et al).

- the EW year-round highway from Pickle Lake to Webequie would be taken care of by the Prov and the Development Corp. which may include ONTC, CN/Bill Gates who owns 12% of CN (understood that Bill has met with our PM discussing topics of mutual interest), the teacher pension funds, etc. This is small money anyway, and the Devel Corp. can also issue bonds to fund the project.

There is a good chemistry between Frank and the new NOT Chief, so the will is there from the company side. All we need is some political will.

goldhunter