This is not unheard of. The Iron Ore Company of Canada in Labrador was started by a consortium of steel producers that included Bethlehem Steel, US Steel and I think three others. A secure supply of iron ore was a problem in the fifties so they took matters in their own hands and created their own supply. They hired Hanna Mining Consultants to oversee management of the operation. I believe the ownership structure was equal to the percentage of production they committed to. At current dollar values, billions were spent on raiways, crushers, concentrators and pellet plants as well as the mining infrastructure. In the seventies, they expanded to sell on the open market and eventually the steel mills sold out and it is now owned by Rio Tinto. IOC is now going through another estimated billion dollar expansion.

This is a model that steel producers can consort to develope NOT's orebody so that they can have a secure supply of ferrochrome and at manageable prices from their own mine. Multiple partners would make raising the huge capitol investment somewhat easier. Food for thought.