To my (limited) knowledge, only Cliffs has expressed a clear view on the road vs rail problem. From the Cliffs February 2011 'base case' scenario (summary):

"The 'base case' includes the following major inter-related components:

• An open pit chromite mine with associated housing and other proposed infrastructure located at the site. The mine may transition to underground mining in 10 to 15 years after mining begins. Further testing and mine planning is required to determine the timing of a transition to underground mining.
• An ore processing facility to produceconcentrate and associated load-out facility located at the mine site.
• An integrated transportation system to link all project components. This transportation system will include a permanent all-season road to allow the movement of people, equipment, supplies, lump ore and concentrate to and from the proposed mine site and the existing Ontario rail infrastructure. The evaluation to date has included a comparison of road and rail options within several transportation corridors. The northern extension of Road 643 from Nakina has been identified as a realistic and viable option. Accordingly, an all-weather road in this corridor was included in the 'base case.'
• A ferrochrome production facility (FPF) utilizing closed electric arc furnaces to manufacture ferrochrome. The availability of a large, reliable, long-term and cost-competitive supply of electricity is a requirement for the FPF. Current estimates of the furnace requirements are approximately 300 MW. The Company has identified only a few places in Northern Ontario where this power requirement can be met. A brownfield site within the City of Greater Sudbury was identified as the 'base case' location for the FPF. Cliffs has plans to continue to meet with other northern municipalities, including Thunder Bay, Greenstone and Timmins, to continue discussing the potential of locating the FPF in their community."

Understood: "No road!"

Eager to hear what's the clear view of the government on this topic. In June maybe? The most speculative asset KWG holds at this moment is its Rights of way and claims over the railroad bed! The odds are very high, here. Just imagine a public announcement this summer stating that the federal and Ontario government have finally agreed on a railway to be built ASAP on the KWG staked route! I can foresee Frank Smeenk in the background, behind the two Ministers, showing his widest smile!

As per Frank Smeenk's own words, KWG litterally invited Cliffs in the Ring of Fire, and have them use their greenies for a 'serve yourself' shares, options and warrants buffet. Frank is now looking back and wonder... Did I shake hands with my hangman...?

GLTA.

BaBe.