"Owing to NOT and friends low profile of late, many are forgetting about Baosteel who could swallow CLF in a bite. Also NOT has demonstrated that they are prepared to go it alone...though they don't really have to with Bao. NOT recently has the new investor as well with the reputation of being involved in winners."
A very compelling point, Sum. And perhaps the most logical explanation of things to come.
Noront has maybe taken the wisest path in this matter by staying out of the limelight as much as possible, and letting CLF take all the heat. Their eventual mining plan, naturally, has to be a stand alone operation. they cannot complete a feasibility based on a contribution from other companies in the area. This study must be financialy viable, and include consideration for local community support, as well as being environmentally positive. They have done this, largely by supporting an east west route/ slurry line, and locating the mill underground. In the ensuing battle their hands are relatively clean, and by keeping out of the limelight, they may just come out of this unscathed.
At the end of the day, they don't have to have an east/west route. A rail link, or a toll road to the south will work just as well, and likely save them something like 3-400 million in startup costs. However, if they continue to support the east/ west route, they are seen as the good guys locally, and this could provide great returns in the near future.
CLF may state otherwise, but the fact is they are the bully on the street. And they act the part out well. They have come out stating what they are going to do, and that they have decided this will be good for the locals. Lots of luck.
At any rate, each of the recent events in the area continue to enhance Noront's eventual position in the ROF. The battle over the next few months is best fought by others. As long as the startup time frame remains as is, with Noront continuing through permitting, etc, all is well. If one can visualize a five dollar stock three years down the road, and are prepared to wait for it, what matters where it is in the interim. For those who are unprepared to wait for their fortune, they can always move their investments over to a GNH, or GAX, or CMM, or GCM, or even better, to CAN
Best regards
K
