Greens Creek Surface Exploration Project Completes Federal Permitting

WASHINGTON (January 14, 2026) – The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) is pleased to announce that the Greens Creek Surface Exploration Project is the latest FAST-41 Transparency project to complete federal permitting.

“Congratulations to Hecla Mining Company and the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service for completing permitting nearly a month ahead of schedule, and within eight months of being posted to the Federal Permitting Dashboard,” said Permitting Council Executive Director, Emily Domenech. “FAST-41’s interagency coordination and transparency are critical for moving domestic mineral production forward to fuel prosperity, reduce reliance on foreign nations, and strengthen our national security.”

Located on Admiralty Island, just outside of Juneau Alaska, Greens Creek mine is the nation’s largest silver mine. Surface exploration for mineral deposits including silver, gold, lead, and zinc are expected to increase the project's reserve base and extend the mine, reducing reliance on foreign nations while strengthening U.S. national and economic security. 

“We are pleased that the U.S. Forest Service has approved the five-year plan of operations for our Greens Creek Surface Exploration Project,” said Kurt Allen, Hecla Vice President of Exploration. “Inclusion of this project on the FAST-41 Transparency List acknowledges the strategic importance of identifying domestic sources of critical minerals and responsibly producing them, just as we have done for decades at our Greens Creek Mine. The FAST-41 process provided a transparent, efficient, and predictable permitting timeline for all stakeholders, and we look forward to beginning exploration activities this spring.”

Added to FAST-41 in response to the Executive Order on Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, this project received Transparency Dashboard status in May of 2025. Transparency status gave the Greens Creek Surface Exploration Project access to many of the unique benefits of FAST-41, including a dedicated Permitting Council project advisor, the development of a comprehensive permitting timetable, and active engagement and coordination across federal permitting agencies. 

“The rapid approval by the U.S. Forest Service of this project demonstrates the Trump administration’s recognition of Alaska’s valuable storehouse of critical minerals that our nation needs for advanced electronics and for our national defense,” said Senator Dan Sullivan. “This approval ensures that the largest silver mine in the United States can continue providing economic value to my state in an environmentally responsible manner.”

“I am pleased to see the Federal Permitting Council announce the completion of the environmental review process for the Greens Creek Surface Exploration project. This is great news for Southeast and Alaska’s critical mineral future,” said Congressman Begich. “Extending surface exploration and identifying new areas of interest will help ensure Alaska remains a cornerstone of America’s domestic supply of critical and strategic minerals that are essential to advanced manufacturing, energy technologies, and national defense. These efforts strengthen supply chains and reinforce Alaska’s role as a responsible global mining leader. I appreciate the thorough environmental review process and the continued commitment by Hecla Greens Creek to operate safely and sustainably.”

This project is sponsored by Hecla Mining Company. The Department of Agriculture’s US Forest Service serves as the lead federal permitting agency. Learn more about this project on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.