I don't know how many paid any attention to the particulars concerning their chromite exploration, where they deal with the expenditure of an additional several mill dollars to drill off the blackbirds and update the chromite deposit. Of particular note is the following statement;

"An initial Preliminary Assessment of chromite mining with ferrochrome production in northwestern Ontario is targeted for completion late in the second quarter of 2012"

It has always been a concern for me that they would prefer to stay in the background and let CLF steer the chromite ship, while they seemingly are content to deal only with the nickel. The above statement from Noront is the first actual public indication that they are actively considering a stand alone entity to not only mine, but also process chromite ore into ferrochrome.

Could it be that we are looking at two ferrochrome facilities in Ontario, one maybe in Sudbury, and the other in the greenstone area? Could Noront justify their own smelter, with only a 50-60 year supply proven up? Could all the seeming foot dragging be only aimed at getting this right because it is bigger than any of us thought?

best regards

K