Too much emotion on this issue, imho.
Logic says?:
For the Ring to continue being developed, all parties to it have to have access.
Initially for Noront and any party of same ( those not needing chromite processing ) a road will probably suffice and it probably means ANY road. So E/W should do.

The big issue is chromite mines and associated with them is bulk transport.

I state as a given that a road, Any Road is not sufficient.
Cliffs wanting a road is due to not having been able to come to terms with KWG re rail way ( to what ever proportion, both of these entities are at fault).

The greatest fault that I assign is to the Ontario government for not taking a leadership position regarding transportation.
They should have said to both Cliffs and KWG;
That is how it will be because Foremost it is in the public interest. Either you both agree in cooperation with other potential miners in the Ring OR we ( the government) will dictate to you.

Of course that takes guts and we all know how spineless officials can be.

My opinion:
KWG's claims are for mining and I presume that also includes gravel extraction. They should not be used to control surface rights. Those rights should still remain with the province.
Yes, I understand a miner needs surface usage to explore and develop a mine BUT it can not be done 100% to the miners benefit. And we all know ( my presumption) that there will not be any mines built along that path.
Transportation which in general is Ontario's responsibility should cross those claims without hinderence or clashes.

So I say that that transportation has to be by means of a rail way and through those claims. No it does not need to be by Cliffs or through cooperation of Cliffs, KWG or any other combination of miners. That is the best and probably the only viable transportation route so Ontario has to take a lead role in it's development with support if need be from the miners.

I suspect that Cliffs' road was rejected not so much due to trespass rights but mostly because it was for a road. Road would be an environmental night mare and a political mine (exploding type) field, imo.

Am ever patient that things will resolve them selves in time, just stressed by the amount of time. Ed.