It is highly unlikely a big player interested in buying DE for it's Nickle and other mineralization would be interested in the other properties Noront is working on. Windfield Lake is Gold and while quite far advanced isn't going to be what an INCO would want.

Nothing stopping a major company to offer for just the DE and some or all of staked properties in the area.

Personally I'd love them to offer shares instead of cash. Shares could be flowed through to Noront shareholders and it could be a great tax break. Yeah I know it's capital gains if Noront is sold but flow through shares would allow you and I to do some forward tax planning and sell off in pieces instead of a big tax bite at one time.

No reason why Noront wouldn't continue after divesting DE properties. RN is going to retire sometime (he is 69) and what a way to go out.

My bet is that Noront will continue with shareholders receiving one hell of a payout and get to keep their shares.