RE:RE:WHO ARE COMPANIES A B C Some local background to add to Bacon's note:
IOCC, 58%, owned by Rio Tinto, is not included in Rio's iron ore production or financials as it is part of their speciality metals operations. Management is very shy of risks and unproven things as Rio will not put any money on the table and IOCC must generate dividends to keep them happy. After some difficulty a couple of years ago, and before that episode, IOCC has been a great generator of dividends. Electricity is easily available at Lab City, aka Carol Lake, as the Muskrat Falls Hydro deveoplment on the lower Churchill will need clients very soon. Clearing of a right of way for the transmission lines was started a couple of years ago for Alderon's proposed new mine/concentrator. Alderon seems dead in the water. Gas is too far away for the moment.
Arcelor: They are in financial difficulty. The railroad is for sale. The $ problem is not related to their l mine/concentraor in northern Quebec near Fermont nor their pellet plant on the North Shore of the St Lawerence in Port Cartier. The operators are a group of very creative and energetique young engineers and technicians. They are trying out gas at this time. The gas is trucked in I believe as the closest supply is well to the south, several hundred kms away.
Cliffs was not mentioned in your note. They are into steel making too. Their management is also relatively new after difficulties about 5 years ago. The organisation is very agressive now, doing very well, and I would not be surprised if they were company A. They are not active in Canada since they closed Wabush mines and sold out.
These organisations are not in a game to be first. They are out to please their shareowners and not to gain bragging rights.
Plasma torches would be a great thing for IOCC and the political side of it will be a positive for them.
Hydro Quebec has surplus electricity at this time and for the foreseeable future. They would be very interested in plasma in the PC PP, but the gas trial is underway.