As far as how things have gone in the ROF, Frank and KWG have pretty much been an outlier...NOT has courted Cliffs(after Cliffs severed KWG relationship),courted/courting the govts, taken up the mantle of "big dog"in the ROF(refused to sell KWG shs, proceeding with appeal even though they had not standing nor tokk any standing on initial hearings) and mostly stays within the boundaries/strategies that have been laid out by their political masters. Once again KWG has pushed the envelope by entering into an agreement for a potential major advancement in the ROF apparently without the agreement/understanding/or backing of any other player in the ROF..including both prov and Fed gov.

How this will be perceived by these other parties will be of interest in the days ahead. One would think the prov and Feds would embrace this aggressive business move as it may just set a clear path for the agreed goal of economic development in the region and for the benefit of the prov and the country and especially assist the FNs on their road to economically and socially respectful viability.

For those who have been around this ROF story for a while, think you might agree with me that the Deloitte report would have/will prove that the RR was the most economical route to take for opening up the ROF. The question then is why did the Libs not release and embrace it. Was it because they did not have the control of the route and to appease Cliffs they withheld it and chose to focus on a road first. Was it because they did not have the $$ or political will to ambrace the RR option. Was it because they needed time to try to reconcile with FNs for the years that they ignored their concerns hoping that with Cliffs leading the ROF forward they could simply "pay off" the economic and social bill to the FNs. Or perhaps it was all these reasons.

It noe seesm pretty clear that any chinese interest in the ROF revolves around the chromite, as Frank mentioned this morning. What could/should/can be the actions of the other parties to now acknowledge that and embrace(and save face) this new and aggressive/imaginatory/inventive move by KWG would be for NOT/Libs withdraw the appeal is it is redundant and perhaps have unintended consequences, release the Deloitte report to the chinese as they evaluate the viability of the RR option, LIbs and Feds commit to focus their time and resources towards the FNs needs to ensure they have a fully transparent vested interest in the success of the ROF for the foreseeable future, NOT and KWG focus together on the co-development of the chromite ROF (Black Horse)with mining Eagles Nest by NOT using a single shaft as Frank has suggested in the past. Perhaps start these with a slurry pipe and once the RR is built move on the the other ROF chromite holdings.

Wishful think,,,,perhaps. But imo this may be the best(and perhaps last) opportunity to get this going in the near future. One major has already left and if this RR option is proven viable by the chinese and is for whatever reason discarded then this would leave a black mark for any other major to even consder investing. Without private/corporate investment the ROF minerals will never see the light of day. Keep in mind the mineral value potential has been known for more than 8 years and still remain in the ground. Hope can be eternal but business viability is fleeting if not embraced and encouraged.