Noront stated they needed a winter road from Webequie Junction to the mine site that “would allow for the staging of equipment and supplies” for mine site development and road construction

Notice that Marten falls had no problem getting the ok for a 140km winter road. Cliffs spent some good dough on this.(interesting timeline on this)

https://www.ontario.ca/document/nakina-winter-road-ministers-order

When you download the pdf you'll see this date below of the order:

 Jan. 12, 2012

MINISTER’S ORDER Made under clause 12(6) of the FAR NORTH ACT, 2010 – The construction of a winter road from the Marten Falls Reserve 65 south to the Ogoki Forest Painter Lake Road ORDER # FN – 01 -2012 D

The proposed winter road would originate at a point in the vicinity of the southern boundary of Marten Falls First Nation Reserve 65 (approximately Latitude 51 degrees 37 minutes North, Longitude 85 degrees 55 minutes West) and extend in a southerly direction, connecting with the Ogoki Forest Painter Lake Road (Latitude 50 degrees 42 minutes North, Longitude 86 degrees 32 minutes West), being in the Territorial District of Nipigon and within the area of the Far North as defined in the Far North Act, 2010 and further described in O.Reg 21/11.

The proposed winter road would be approximately 140 km in length, with a right of way of approximately 30 metres, to the exclusion of those sections that cross bodies of water where the right of way would be approximately 20 meters or less

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oddly enough....

http://www.sudburyminingsolutions.com/cliffs-funds-improved-ice-road-to-marten-falls.html

The Cleveland, Ohio-based iron ore and metallurgical coal miner agreed to work with Marten Falls to realign and upgrade an existing winter road trail in 2010 as part of an effort to build bridges with the First Nation community.

"Construction of the professionally designed road began in 2011 and was completed in January 2013"

but Minister order was given 2012? Construction started in 2011?