One of the major reasons Cliffs wanted out from the ROF was FIRST NATION ISSUES.

Problems with dealing with First nation. The First Nations clashing with others.

As far as Matawa claiming not being informed of a sale it's pure garbage.They were informed a week prior to Sept. 17, 2014 by letter as per the Globe and Mail.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/cliffs-natural-resources-looking-to-exit-ontarios-ring-of-fire/article20651617/

In the link above it is stated FROM SEPTEMBER 17, 2014...

"Earlier this week, Cliffs sent the First Nations in the area a letter saying it was exploring alternatives. “We should expect there will be a change, with a sale of the project one of the potential outcomes,” Bill Boor, Cliffs’ executive vice-president of corporate development, said in a letter that was viewed by The Globe and Mail.

A Cliffs spokeswoman confirmed the letter had been sent.

Cliffs suspended the project late last year after numerous delays and difficult discussions with the province and the First Nations communities near the vast deposit about 500 km north of Thunder Bay.

The province has touted the Ring of Fire as the economic engine for Northern Ontario. But its future appears bleak.

The deposit is pretty much inaccessible by road today. It is surrounded by nine Matawa First Nations, which have been clashing with the province’s government on how to develop the project. "

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If I were Cliffs I would NEVER sell the asset to those primarily responsible for it's devaluation.

With all their threats over the years,stall tactics, blockades, running to CBC whenever it suited them..instead of talking things out ...resulted in tremendous damage to shareholders.... everywhere in the ROF....and to expect the asset to sold to them after they so negatively affected it's value... absolutely ridiculous!

The behaviour from Matawa does not even appear legal to me.

How do you influence the share price of a company DOWNWARD by threats, blockades and clashes with gov't AND THEN turn around and complain that you really wanted to buy it...but werent successful in the purchase. And then if that isn't gross enough.. have the nerve to sue over it!

The mining companies, both levels of gov't have put forth a tremendous effort over YEARS trying to consult and accomodate...Matawa..who in turn it appears based on their lawsuit.....wanted nothing more than to have the asset for themselves.