Many of us are critical of Cliffs. This sentiment pervades these pages. They have acted in a typically arrogant manner as an "American" Company.

Clearly Cliffs made a mistake when they decided not to buy KWG several years ago. But that was then and this is now. They can't change that now.

But let's put ourselves in their shoes now.

#1 In our so called system, the goal for any corporation is to satisfy the shareholders and operate to make (ever increasing) profit. Be damed any other considerations.

#2. Cliffs has to develop their assets in the ROF in a manner to make a profit. They can't spend too much on infrastructure (even if they had capital) or any capital expense to make the project unprofitable.

#3 For KWG and Noront, the Rof is their main project. Cliffs has a lot of other fish to fry..it is not their major preocupation. (Fishing has not been that great lately).

#4. Cliffs has to deal with Governments, Provincial and Federal. The first objective of any politician is to get re-elected. Be damed any other consideration including the RoF. Governments are extreamly unproductive and beurocratic. If any of us where President of Cliffs we would not be holding our breath waiting for polititians to act (effectively) on the RoF.

#5. Cliffs has to deal with the First Nations. .... the only people in Canada that are above the law and can do what they want without fear of recrimination...blocking major highways, Caledonia.....Need I say more? Be damed any other consideration than their own interests.

#6 Cliffs has suffered the same as any other mining company including Vale, BHP etc during the commodities crisis...particularly for them iron ore prices...and is having to batton down the hatches to survive.

So is it any wonder Cliffs would choose to sit on the sidelines while the gong show regarding the RoF continues?

To those that say there is "action" behind the scenes...perhaps....but it has been too little..too late...when considering the possibilities and the impact on the Ontario and Canadian economies.

To those that say...better to get it right....this is just an excuse for doing what Gov't does best...procrastinate.

In my humble opinion the initiatives provided by all parties...mainly goverments...has been minimal at best. But was anyone expecting anything different from Canadian Government?

just sayin

SN