Smeenk said roads would also have to be built to construct the mine and railway.

Those roads would also link several remote northern communities, and they should be built, regardless of whether the mine proceeds, he said.

"I think we have an obligation to look after the First Nations, and if in doing that we can make the mineral deposit more accessible, then I think that's a bonus, but we shouldn't make one the hostage of the other," said Smeenk.

Thank you Frank! Getting this message out there is great. And especially good to see it coming directly from Smeenk himself, after a few contrary-minded commenters argued that the roads are essentially a bad investment.

I'm feeling very upbeat about KWG right now. Actually, about the entire Ring.