So the total tonnage of chromite found so far in the ROF may not be recoverable. Most of us know that, and we also know there is more as yet undiscovered, so a figure giving a per ton price can easily translate into a very rough approximation of the 'value' of the deposits at current prices.

We and the Chinese know that figure is something that will change with market fluctuations, but still, in my personal opinion, 343+ million tonnes of 30% chromite could be worth more than 10X the figure given by the Globe article. In short $1.65 per pound of contained chrome metal for the processed ore gives a total of $3,630Canadian per ton(of chrome metal), and $370+billion in total.

Capital, mining, shipment and processing costs are still unknown and will be substantial. Also some chromite will probably be sold as ore, giving a much lower return.

Could be IROC didn't like KWG's refutation of the newspaper article, could be news of the rail feasibility study. They weren't allowed to give an actual dollar value figure, & didn't, so what else might they have done to offend?

OK, so a stainless steel tube carrying ore in capsules electro-magnetically propelled. On top of this a (very) light railway for passenger/tourist traffic. Perhaps a more practical vision than passenger carrying capsules inside the ore tube. But, even more economical, how about a plain old style pipeline carrying ore without use of capsules, along with a light rail for passengers only. Or a wild & crazy idea, a pipeline for ore with a light duty road alongside? Nah, no self respecting Big Money would invest in anything so boring. --

Sounds very expensive. Essentially a pipeline, but with electro-magnetic propulsion of capsules instead of loose ore propelled by pumped water. By the way, could chromite be propelled by the same electro-magnetism without being loaded into capsules?

As a people mover this isn't what the people around the ROF require. It can only function economically between high demand stations, whether to load/unload bulk freight or people. Picture something like an urban Metro or Underground serving communities of at most 4 or 5,000 people who actually live some distance from the likely route. Someone who needs to go to Thunder Bay from Webeque would first have to get to the nearest stopping point or station. That would require a road & either a bus service or an available auto. Then there would have to be a regular schedule of stopping times. Ok, on the 'capsule' after perhaps an hour or more of travel to the staion. Whizz, zap, disgorged at the ore terminus, near Aroland or somewhere likely a distance from Thunder Bay. Again, a bus or auto ride to Thunder Bay. Arrive after a somewhat stressful journey. Compared to present day option of an airplane (govt expense?) this experience doesnt seem an improvement for passengers.

For freight, yes, your ore would arrive at the unload point dry and in good time. Presumably the loading & unloading would be automated, one capsule at a time at regular intervals, with passenger capsules diverted to a separate passenger terminus.

Capsules would be expensive, and there would be 3 types needed, for bulk ore, for other freight such as machinery and groceries, and passenger capsules with seats, lights, windows, etc. These would cost more than railcars.

While it might be useful as a 'proof of concept' for this technology, that could equally be achieved by running a line from somewhere like Las Vegas to Death Valley. They'd get more publicity & tourists.

Mentions the ROF -- looks like a definite 'maybe'

Hmm. Moe Lavigne replies to the question "Will mining activities in the ROF release hexavalent chromium into the environment" He should have gone into a bit more detail about how hexavalent chromium is produced ( ie under high temperatures etc) with perhaps a figure for the temperature required for this chemical to result. Also, he repeats the same sentence twice while reading his prepared statement -perhaps a bit more editing?

Thanks for addressing this important issue however.

As he says, "the short answer is no" Some might be looking for a slightly longer answer regarding what conditions might produce it, and how improbable it is those conditions might occur during mining.

Personally, I have looked into this issue years ago, and am confident mining chromite is safe in this regard, but others hear "chrome" and immediately think of the pollution problems in the USA resulting from chemical processing of chrome. People worried about this need to hear details, to be fully reassured their concerns are not simply dismissed.