'We have received a proposal to now complete a trade-off study on mining this from underground, using shared facilities with Noront's underground mining of the Eagle's Nest nickel and PGM deposit'

Exactly, bananaboy. It has been made clear to me by KWG that the trade-off study did not come from Noront, rather, from an independent company, as part of a normal solicitation for engineering bids. This is totally a KWG initiative.

No one can blame Noront for keeping their distance from KWG at this time, given that the OMLC has not rendered it's decision on easement, nor has the aggregate judical review been accepted nor conducted.

KWG's has applied for a judicial review of the decision of the Minister of Natural Resources ("MNR") to permit sampling for aggregates by a subsidiary of Cliffs on the CCC claims. The MNR must but has yet to respond. The application seeks an order in the nature of certiorari setting aside the decision of MNR dated April 15, 2013 in which MNR authorized the respondent, Cliffs Chromite Ontario Inc. to undertake geotechnical and aggregate testing in respect of lands covered by mining claims held by CCC.

Those who are interested in understanding why a reasoned decision might favour KWG in both these two cases should become familiar with ARA Guiding Principles policy no. A.R. 5.00.06.

If easement is denied, it would logically lead to MNR's aggregate decision being set aside. There is a possibility that Noront might find advantages to a joint venture with Bold and KWG to develop Black Bird and/or Black Horse and/or Eagles Nest, as a trade-off study might prove feasible providing real savings and CCC's railway infrastucture planning would begin quickly.