Babjak1,

I can't agree more that until the road(s) are in place Noront must find a solution to moving equipment up to the Eagle's Nest mine site. Preferably, by the most direct means possible, and with the greatest payload, to save both time and money. In this post of mine I only wish to add to your already fabulous idea about moving equipment by airships. Please allow me to provide even more information about the other alternative. Hover barges.

  This is an alternative that I think has a great deal of merit, and one that I have managed to come across in my many searches on the internet; thanks to you.  This method of moving equipment seems very effective. Although, much like the airship, i can only guess as to the costs associated with transporting heavy equipment by these means; especially for mining.  Dear I believe is the best word....To say the least.  But...nonetheless...all possibilities should not be excluded.  Especially, when one is talking about a vehicle that can transport payloads around the 200 - 300 ton mark.  A vehicle that does not worry about the terrain, and how environmental sensitivity it may be, regardless of the weather, or muskeg...Here is the company, and here is their PDF to show off what hover barges can do.

http://www.hoverfreight.com/general-presentation.html

Now....My only question is....This N/S route to Marten Falls, and the Ring of Fire....How wide is it? & Are there any obstacles along its path that could keep these sort of hover barges from delivering huge payloads for Noront?

TM.