Other then what they discussed about in meetings with KWG, they probably know not more than we of this forum.
No small thanks to true blood hounds like Babjak and Co.

My common sense tells me that the germans, being historically large steel producers, have noticed golden eggs laid in the form of chromite, and the only ones in the Americas. So they want to investigate the possibility of getting in. KWG probably is the easiest and juicest of all to obtain.
The chromite processing by use of gas is probably an additional bonus.

What I notice is the reference at the end of article to Noront as a competitor.
"KWG was able to prevail against the ring-of-fire competitors Noront Resources in the fight for more mining rights itself"
It would not surprise me if Noront and KWG formed an alliance towards buying Cliffs' Ring assets.