"via a $600M slurry pipe north south to Nakina." Where does this cost estimate for a slurry pipeline come from? I thought pipeline costs are generally much less than road building, but CLF's proposed road on this route was estimated at this same $600 million.

I have studied all chapters of Cliffs EA and numerous public documentation on the subject but there is absolutely no credible support anywhere backing up a supposedly $600M figure for an all-season road.

However, I am able to examine, in detailed, the "Tetratech RAIL v/s ROAD TRADEOFF STUDY" study which concludes "The road capital cost are lower than the rail at approximately $1,051M, however the annual operating cost increase significantly as the load increases, implying that this mode of transportation is not a suitable option if the Ring of Fire region is expected to produce higher loads or operate over a long period of time and support other growth in the area if mining activity expands."

I prefer to trust the $1,051M over the $600M estimate.

To bury under ground and under rivers, in the northern Ontario environment, a highly technically advanced, possibly 'liquid lined' pipeline, carrying very small chromite particles with the series of sophisticated pumping and monitoring stations, with recirculating front end watering and de-watering on the bottom end, would be expensive but achievable.

To get an estimate, you could try going down under and ask these people.