First Mining Gold Corp. announced that it has received construction permits for a temporary winter road (the "Tem temporary Winter Road") to the Springpole Gold Project exploration camp site ("Exploration Camp") by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry ("MNRF") on February 9, 2024, which would allow for the safe transport of supplies and people overland. On February 21, 2023, First Mining received notice from litigation counsel to Cat Lake First Nation ("CLFN") that it intends to challenge the permits issued to First Mining.

The lawyers for First Mining, MNRF and CLFN met on February 23, for a scheduling hearing at which the judge issued an interim interim order staying the authorization of MNRF, pausing the Temporary Winter Road construction activities. The permits allow for the construction of an 18 km Temporary Winter Road from the end of the existing Wenasaga forestry road to the Exploration Camp. First Mining requested the authorization early in 2023 after reviewing Exploration Camp re-supply options that would significantly reduce the risks to employees, contractors and the environment.