K:
I happen to believe that what permits Noront is seeking now is upgrade to the winter road and if possible converting to all weather for the nickel mine. The chromite mine is further down the road in time.

The winter road path need not be mostly cleared of woods, the only exceptions would be where frozen lakes and rivers are involved, then for all year round, extra paths through virgin forrest and bridges, plus around lakes would have to be permitted.
So from the permitting respect we are in total agreement.

As for contiguous mines for nickel and chromite? I have no mining know how so would need the likes of Hoov to comment but I suspect only the digging, and grinding equipment would be in common. The preprocessing stages would most likely be exclusive to each and no mixing for the slurry pipe. Slurry would be exclusively for nickel ore until it is no longer needed for that ore. This is from my limited chemical knowlege.

Geoprof, a winter road is fairly low cost relative to an all season road. It is rebuilt for each winter season and implies work only during it's implementation and clearance of snow through winter. That is my understanding.
Noront would not spend any money on the winter road, it is being built every winter anyways. The slurry pipe is an interrim measure for the time that a rail line is not available. It is also my opinion that the pipe is a bargaining point for Noront not to be a full financier for the rail or the full extension of an all year road because it is not absolutely needed by them. As K says why pay for something that you do not absolutely need but would only use if provided by others at a future time. If the road machinations turn quickly enough then the pipe might not be built. Talk of hope with regard to politicians.

I suspect that the east-west route would be for the all year road and the north-south for the rail line. I know it does not make sense for two clearance paths for transportation but the east-west already exists and the north-south is easiest for rail?
Any how these are my impressions. Enlighten me folks if any one has anything to add or subtract because it is great to finally share such opinions once we are this close.
Ed.