Possibly.... I've been to the site several times and never fully understood why the mill would go underground. I think it was somebody's dream idea, mainly to utilize a 3D layout underground. Cool stuff at the pre-feasibility and feasibility level. But now that they're getting serious about actually building a mine, it makes much more sense for a mill on surface. Size it any way you want, expand, different concentrates, lots of options. You can tell from the google earth imagery that there has always been lots of "high ground" on Noront's claims. Cliffs had limited space to work with and most of their pit and infrastructure was in some serious wetlands.

The EN project has a very small surface footprint and adding the mill to surface will not make a big change to the permitting/approval process. An open pit for any project... Hmmm, good luck... It's possible, but much much easier at this point in the development of the RoF to propose underground mine with portal. Shaft or ramp, just a matter of engineering and economics. Keep the tailings underground and it's smooth sailing. Mount Polley is sure a sore spot with regulators these days. Big issue is getting the plan for accessing the site out of the way and the related FN consultation. The rest is no different than many other proposed and operating mines in northern Ont.