My guess is that it will take several years for this mining camp to move into production stages. Noront will likely be able to prove a certain mineral resource and inferr additional by spring of 2008. It could be as much as $10 billion ore value, could be more, could be less. Until assay results and size of deposit is known it's pure speculation.

Now in favor of development is the fact that the ore is easy to get at and rich. Someone is going to make money even if they have to push thru an all season dirt road and take most heavy stuff in during winter freeze. Infrastucture costs depend on size of processing plant and number of people working there. This could be scaled down and life of mines extended which would require lower capital expenditure.

Any guess at infrastruction costs is just a guess in my opinion. Yeah if it's high then they'll pay less for in situ ore. Hard to see how ore in ground is worth less than 20% of refined value. All kinds of figures are being thrown around and take all of them with a grain or two of salt.