Arctic Project Gains FAST-41 Coverage

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2026) – The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) is pleased to announce the latest project to gain FAST-41 coverage–the Arctic Project. Once permitted, the Alaskan mining project is expected to extract commercial quantities of critical and strategic minerals essential to U.S. economic growth and national security.

The Arctic Project aims to mine for copper, zinc, lead and other valuable minerals in the Arctic Deposit of the Ambler Mining District in Alaska. First discovered in the 1970s, the site has the potential of 46.7 million tons of probable mineral reserves. Project sponsors estimate that the mine will produce 10,000 tons of ore per day over a 13 year lifespan.

“The Arctic Project is the 57th mining and mineral processing project added to FAST-41 since the start of the Trump administration, highlighting our commitment to utilizing all our natural resources and ensuring we reduce our reliance on our adversaries around the world,” said Emily Domenech, Permitting Council Executive Director. “I look forward to working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the project sponsor to ensure this project proceeds with transparency and efficiency.” 

“This listing is a recognition of the Arctic Project’s strategic value and a credit to all who have worked to move responsible resource development forward in the Ambler Mining District,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. “I appreciate the Permitting Council adding this project to their dashboard and look forward to a robust yet expeditious permitting process.”

“The listing of Ambler Metals’ Arctic Project on the FAST-41 dashboard is an exciting step toward finally developing the Ambler Mining District after many decades,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. “The production of the critical minerals in this region is essential to reducing America’s reliance on adversarial regimes for resources necessary for defense and advanced technology. This has all been possible because the Administration is rightly allowing Alaska to responsibly develop its own resources. I applaud the work of Ambler Metals, AIDEA, NANA, Doyon, K-Corp, the Interior Department, and the State of Alaska in working to bring stakeholders together to advance responsible development in the region.” 

“The Arctic Project’s advancement toward FAST-41 coverage signals the urgent need to expedite domestic critical mineral development. By bringing the Arctic Project into the FAST-41 process, the Permitting Council is helping provide the transparency and coordination needed to move strategic infrastructure projects forward,” said Rep. Nicholas Begich, R-Alaska. “The Arctic Deposit is one of the highest-grade copper deposits in the world, and projects like this can play a major role in securing the resources needed for the next generation of American infrastructure and energy development. I would like to thank the Permitting Council for their swift action and look forward to continued collaboration to responsibly develop these critical resources.” 

“The inclusion of the Arctic project under the FAST-41 framework is an important milestone that brings much-needed permitting prioritization of this project that’s poised to deliver regional jobs, investment in Alaska’s economy and enhance critical national supply chains,” said Kaleb Froehlich, Managing Director of Ambler Metals. “Alaska has an unrivaled track record of responsible resource development that balances industry with the protection of our wildlife and landscapes. By leveraging this federal program, we look forward to working alongside our federal, state, and borough partners as we continue to build trust and keep regional stakeholders informed at every stage of the process. This process reinforces our commitment to shareholders living near this project. We have always maintained that mining in the Upper Kobuk must be built on a foundation of lasting local support. As we move through this rigorous and predictable permitting schedule, we will continue to prioritize deep engagement with nearby villages and regional stakeholders to ensure the Arctic Project delivers multi-generational economic growth and high-quality jobs for Alaskans.”

The Arctic Project is sponsored by Ambler Metals LLC (AMC), a joint venture partnership between Trilogy Metals Inc. (Trilogy) and South32 Limited (South32). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers serves as the lead federal permitting agency. Learn more about this project on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.