I see no harm in posting rumours or speculations provided they are disclosed by the poster as such. The very fact that we all are invested in any Ring of Fire stock is mostly an exercise in speculation.

As for this rumour or what ever, I do not see Xstrata's involvment as game changer because I suspect they are and have been involved ever since our management took that South Africa trip and started the ball rolling by initiating this offer for Freewest.

To speculate a lot further:
If I were Xstrata I would do per Brattymack's comment and as implied, after accumulating some shares I could pay a visit to Freewest and tell them that I am interested in making a friendly offer OR to tell them that they are spinning their wheels with Cliffs because between us and Noront we own enough shares to block any deal you try, so talk to us or else.
I'm sure there are many more possibilities to such speculations. Nothing wrong in doing so during none busy times on the forum.
So speculate to your heart's content, Ed.