"coming in and buying, may throw off any progress made as they will appear to be an outsider(ie cliffs) and not be trusted."
They would definitly be outsiders but that may not be a handicap. It depends on how X2 would operate with governments and regional communities.
If they followed Noront`s example I would think they would be welcomed.
I qualify that, Noront shareholders may not if a buyout or partnership offer was not generous.

Just look at the Goldcorp offer for Osisko as an example.
15% above closing price or 20% over recent trading range is not a good offer by any means.
Re Osisko, I have as very small but long standing interest in that company.
How would we react if X2 offered us today only 32 cents per share ( 15% above our current 28 cents ). Now you understand how Osisko shareholders must feel.
But this shows what first offers are in this market milieu.
Ed.