RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Cliffs defers Ring of Fire Hey Farenheit911,
Sorry for butting in...I couldn't resist. A few points to consider in weighing the pros and cons of Cliffs announcement on delaying production by one year.
a. Ont gov may not want to wait for Cliffs, now that they have revealed part of their hand. They will be accountable for having said that they want to pay for the infrastructure (road or RR??)... and can they really wait given that they need the tax and toll income as soon as possible;
b. Now that other mining companies have found out that Cliffs will not be controlling the route, they will move forward with their development plans to pressure/support the gov in fast-trackling the NS route; Cliffs may not be the first mine to open, not might they be the firast company to ship on the NS route;
c. It is obvious that the feds are interested in seeing this project come to fruition; P3 is not dead and Cliffs is not the only player with money or with a partner with deep pockets;
d. Delays in Cliffs agenda only increase the possibilities of take-overs; let's face it...their balance sheet is not getting better nor will it...shareholders will get antsy and may go find better value elsewhere = downward pressure on the SP ...big boys watching this coq fight will want to take-over mega future value for todays measly cost;
e. loss of faith towards Cliffs ability to succeed at this is not reserved to its shareholders, partners, customers etc will want to go with the highest probabilty of success and profit...Cliffs is no longer that prospect...
JMHO...apologies for butting in...Lou: your ball!
Pear3