While agreeing with all you said may I add that the ideal use of the north-south route is a railway instead of a road. Railways being so much more efficient. Therefore while politically Noront may go the road method but better imho to work together for rail.

Same goes for the gas smelting of chromite. While I do not think it proper to grant a patent on the choice of energy to smelt, a specific method should be patentable. In that situation there may be some fine details that could be run around that method and use gas as a source of energy for the chromite smelting.
But I say why go that way?
Duplication means physical cost and possible litigation regarding the run around.

( I am still for the smelter being near Nakina or closer to the Ring if gas will be available there. No need for Capreol or there about. Build it close to the Ring and the workers will come. How about Nemis or Noront town?)

KWG has chromite next to our Eagle whose access from underground would be available once the chomite starts to be developed. Also there are already some buildings in place at camp. Therefore more reasons to share.

Merger or cooperation but in extreme situation, aquisition.

I am hoping for easiest method. We have enough problems as is with governments, communities, Greens and what ever we still do not know about.

Cheers, Ed.