I do not like agreeing with Cliffs for many reasons but:
"The independent government tribunal said granting Cliffs an easement would interfere with KWG's ability to work its claims."
That is pure bs. Road or rail would not interefer one bit. Maybe a minor inconvenience.

"Part of Cliffs' argument is that mining claims don't entitle KWG to have control over surface rights."

{“They staked these claims to control the corridor and ... now they're interested in leveraging that into a mining position. We don't think that was intent of the mining claims legislation,” said Boor.}
So true.
KWG staked them not for mining purposes but to control the surface.
If they do not show mining results then their claims should be taken from them for that reason.
The reason cliffs was shown the door on this matter must be because they are American who deal heavy handedly and provoke reactions.

Where Cliffs blew it is in having an open pit mine in an environmentally sensitive region ( ok if not environmentally sensitive then at least politically sensitive), very calous of them.
They are also liers when it comes to economy of road vs rail.
They should have beeen more amiable and flexible with KWG regarding cooperation to build the rail way.
Now they are crying like a four year old whose candy was taken away.