I worked for Bond Gold during the development of the Golden Patricia Mine (about 50 miles west of Pickle Lake) in the late 80's. Everything was brought in by air or by winter road. That incuded everything needed for construction of the mine site, fuel, and non-perishables. Yes there is inventory costs but they offset lower capital costs and quicker road permitting.

As to stock piling the ore on site and hauling it out its not a big deal. When the company said direct shipping ore that is what they mean. Rock is mined, stock piled and shipped (the El Indio mine in Chile did this with 10+ oz/t 'direct shipping' gold ore shipped to a smelter in Japan) when the road is ready. There was no discussion of a 'fine' crushing circuit. Eeven if they do add a gravity circuit (crushing/milling/gravity) for dry concentration you just add a binding agent and pelletize the concentrate and ut it in barrels or store it. The off road vehicle take it out to the road head and transfer it for haulage to the processing site. Yes it affects cash flow but its not that big of a deal.

It will all come down to economics as to what route to mining this goes. The bottom line for us is that it can be done, that there is an economic choice to start with and that NOT has options beyond being at the mercy of the sharks. From here any improvement in circumstances (more tonnage, goverment built road, etc) from here is to our benefit. More importantly we have an analyst plugging it as a good idea.

... Been There (and done that)!