I wouldn't be overly keen on seeing Cliffs get bought out by another major say someone like Xstrata.

Here's a thought, why would the Worlds largest chromite miner (Xstrata) want to develop another chromite mine anytime soon. Mining giants think in terms of 25-50-100 years. In other words though they could easily buy out Cliffs, they would be more likely to landback the properties in the ROF until such time as they reckoned they would need the ore. Why cut into your profits in your other established mines.

Cliffs on the other hand would want a piece of Xstrata's chromite business so they would be more interested in developing the mine as soon as the infrastructure issues are worked out.

As for Biliton or Rio they have major mines coming on stream e.g. mongolia. So yes they may be interested in an acquisition but given the capital investments required to develop the mine, the odds they would do like Xstrata and landbank would be pretty high.

I'm know fan of Cliffs never have been , but sometimes your better of dealing with the Devil you know than the Devil you dont.

GLTA, and of course this is only my opinion

Joe