Deputy & JL, I want to add my sentiment to yours, But I also see it as our problem because we and our predecessors have allowed the unscrupulous to get away with the shinanigans for millenia. It is through technology, meaning internet etc. that the common folk are now becoming more conscious and sooner or later will have enough and act.
Revolution then stagnation to be folowed by another revolution. That has been our lot in life.
Why?
Because each succeeding generation does not learn enough from the previous but must learn by making same mistakes on their own.
Enough of philosophy. More on topic:

'If the nasty times do come will it really matter whether you bought or sold.'
It most certainly will!

Just follow your common sense.

We can not deny that precious metals represent true money mainly due to limited availability and can not be forged.
What the Bad Boys are doing is the next best thing = Substituting paper for PMs.
For paper I not only mean paper money but also investment papers instead of bullion or PM stocks.

Next, it is important to diversify your investment. Some of each, gold, silver bullion and other metals, a few PM and energy stocks, finally necessary commodities to daily life because what ever happens they will be needed and probably in high demand.

Re Cliffs, smelter & shipping ore out. Cliffs is just posturing to get a better deal. They need to set up some give aways to trade for what they absolutely want. That is likely cheaper electrical power.

'Premier will not 'erect protectionist walls' That was a lousy reply by any government official. They are opening a Pandora's box with it.

Just a few of my opinionated comments. Am full of them, LOL.