The key quotes and points from the article you posted BigD70 that work in Noront's favour:

“The supply side is dominating the market trend,” he said in an email. “The demand side is strong but the impact of electric vehicles are still some time away.”

But there hasn't been much investment in new supply, he said, and that's causing fears in the marketplace.

“The underinvestment into the nickel industry will be catching up with higher prices,” Ortslan said. “The industry needs a steady $8-$10 a pound of nickel for brownfield and greenfield investment considerations.”

Comment: Noront is approaching that critical window of opportunity that they cannot afford to miss.  As I have mentioned before in the world of business you either "GET IT", or you simply don't have a clue.  Up until recently, and by recently I am talking the past year, many of the groups crucial to Noront's success have been clueless, undermining, and unproductive.   They just don't "GET IT". 

NOW...Without knowing whether the proper approvals are in place I have to ask, " Will Noront GET IT ? ".....And by saying that,  I am talking about the Eagle's Nest.  Because at this stage of the game if they are not in possession of certain critical elements then we are destined to further delays. Matawa for instance.  If they truly respect the jurisdictional boundaries and land use initiatives of each of their 9 communities then the road to the Ring should be a none issue.  This whole idea that we now need a proponent for the second phase of the N/S road is complete, and utter, BS.  We have agreement amongst all First Nations along this corridor to advance a road to the Ring.  Therefore, I say "BOOM.  DONE."  Government road with tolls...or Matawa road with tolls...Duh.

  If Noront is NOT, right now, in possession of the following: 1) Loan agreements to supply capital, 2)  Approvals of both EN mine and EAs 3) Able to mobilize mining equipment to the EN mine site 4) Secure government funding for roads, and 5) Establishing IBAs, and/or royalty agreements, with business partners and First Nations, then I would have to say that they don't GET  IT either.  

We should already have our bilateral agreements with the First Nations in and around the Ring of Fire, namely Webequie and Marten Falls.  We don't need the permission from the rest of Matawa to start our mine.  Just the approvals from government to allow for it to exist and operate without environmental issues.  This being said Noront logically should be advancing their plans to start the mine ahead of the road, just like they have already suggested. 

But, again, they are silent on this front.  With Rickford now visiting those Matawa First Nations, who as I say, finally "GET IT", I can only think that by Fall we will have all our answers.  But, regardless of election outcomes, and I'm being Conservative here, IMO if we don't stop all the talk, get to work, and move on with or without government funds then "Deja Vu" is inevitable. Build Canada Fund, Northern Heritage Fund, Northern Development Fund....I don't care.... If Noront does not announce any sort of start to the EN mine this Fall/Winter, or at the very least, release information about it's aprrovals, then prepare to get jerked around for another year; IMO. 

In truth... I "GET IT", and I don't "GET IT", all at the same time.

TM