Excellent post, BaBe.

The biggest FACT of all, is that there is an ongoing negotiation here. CLF has come out with their statements that they intend to proceed with a feasibility study to construct a mine. They also intend to build a smelter in Sudbury area, and theoretically build a road out to Nakina area to move chromite to a rail terminal.

The provincial gov't has come out with a general support of that proposal.

Still to come is the overdue feasibility report from Noront. We have no idea whether Noront will support an east/west route, or will they simply lay low and let others (CLF) do the dirty work.

At any rate, we know that Aroland FN are against the smelter going to Sudbury area, as they would have preferred it to be local, and they would get all the benefit, rather than just a portion of it. Why not ask for it all when you have the chance?

Now we have Moonias coming out against the north/south route. Of course he is going to be against it. If that route wins the day, there will be little if any benefit to any of the communities on the east/west route.

I would expect there will be a half dozen other interested parties get involved before too long, and everyone will have their demands laid out on the table. At that time serious negotiations will begin.

Everyone will demand all they can. That is a natural occurence. The one true fact is that if, for instance, CLF and the prov Gov't had come out and stated they were going to give local FNs a third ownership in the mine, they would immediately come up with a good argument why they should have two thirds.

At any rate, I am sticking to my guess that there will be an east/west road built, with a north/south rail link to follow.

Best regards

K