Proposed 190 km access road may boost Ring of Fire logistics

Marten Falls First Nation has moved forward on a project that could open year‑round highway access to a mineral‑rich region and ease logistics for mining activity. The public review period for the environmental assessment and impact statement for the 190 km Marten Falls Community Access Road runs from Feb. 20 to April 10, with the full document available online and at five northern Ontario locations: Greenstone Public Library (Longlac and Geraldton), Sioux Lookout Public Library, Timmins Public Library and Matawa First Nations Management in Thunder Bay. Written comments must be submitted by April 10 to the provincial environmental assessment branch.

If built, the road would begin at the end of the Painter Lake forestry road north of Aroland First Nation, run north to cross the Albany River, then proceed east and southeast to Marten Falls. Year‑round road access could lower transport costs, support large‑scale exploration and development, and improve supply and service routes for projects near the Ring of Fire, which lies north of the community’s Ogoki Post reserve. The access road project is distinct from the proposed Northern Road Link to the Ring of Fire and the Webequie Road Link.

The provincial Indigenous affairs minister, the premier and Marten Falls leadership signed a partnership agreement on the road’s development in November.