A similar deal to this is certainly not out of the question.....
"the agreement will transfer roughly $1-billion in cash to the Lax Kw’alaams band over the span of the 40-year deal"
"The deal would provide a number of up-front payments including more than $20-million if the band members approve it. As well, they would be entitled to annual payments that start at $12.9-million and rise, over the life of the 40-year pact, to $50-million annually."
This is a recent comment from Coutts....
“I think what we have to think about is an entirely different business model as to how industry, First Nations and governments work together. This is certainly a rare opportunity to do that over a 50-year period,” Coutts said.
Having said that....keep in mind the size of the project....
"TransCanada’s pipeline would carry natural gas from northeastern British Columbia to Pacific NorthWest LNG’s planned $11.4-billion export terminal"
...whereas, Noronts initial project is a fraction of that.
So...perhaps a smaller upfront payment...with higher payments down the road once they begin mining the chrome....but it total, perhaps comparable to $1 Billion.