Quote from your post Sudbury:
"Unfortunately, some entity has made it their business to put Noront to such lows that financing such an option appears completely out of the question.."
I assume that there is something to that.
Now who would or could do that?

Some here have suspected Cliffs but my suspition goes towards deep pocketed investors of Cliffs.

Being a canadian, I also wish that the Ring be developed by Canadians for Canadians. No ill will from me towards Cliffs. I only have a preference.