Trump Administration Fast-Tracks Permitting for 10 Mining Projects

The initiative aims to boost domestic production of key minerals and reduce dependence on China by promoting reviews of major mining projects.

On Friday, the Trump administration announced key steps to accelerate domestic critical mineral production by quickly tracking 10 mining projects under the federal FAST-41 infrastructure initiative.

The move was announced jointly by the Department of the Interior and the Federal Improvement Management Council (Freedom Council) on April 18, and follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order supervisory body to promptly promote the development of US mineral resources essential to national security and economic resilience.

“Our national and economic security is now severely threatened by the reliance of hostile foreign forces on mineral production,” Trump wrote on March 20. “To our national security, it is essential that the United States takes immediate action to promote domestic mineral production to the fullest extent possible.”

The first slate of the project will include proposed operations with lithium, copper, phosphates, potassium and metallurgical coal. This is a resource that is considered essential for defense technology, battery production and high-tech manufacturing.

Officials say selected projects currently listed on the federal permit dashboard will benefit from a more predictable timeline and a streamlined environmental review process.

Among those who have received the fast 41 designation are the Rio Tinto Resolution Copper Project in Arizona, the Stivist Night Gold Project in Perpetua Resour in Idaho, the Silver Peak Lithium Mining Expansion in Albemarle, Nevada, and the standard lithium Southwest Arkansas Brine Project.

“This is the first use of the Transparency Authority of the License Council,” Manisha Patel, acting executive director of the License Council, said in a statement. “The federal permit dashboards are an important tool in enhancing interagency coordination and efficient decision-making, and play an invaluable role in ensuring that these projects receive the most efficient review and approval process possible.”

Visibility related to tracking projects on the dashboard will increase accountability across federal agencies and reduce delays in permits that have historically been extended to 10 years, Interior Department officials said.

“For too long, overlapping processes and regulatory paralysis have slowed the development of the minerals needed to drive everything from the defense system to smartphones,” Adam Seuss, deputy secretary for land and mineral management, said in a statement.

The move comes as the US aims to reduce its dependence on mineral imports from its hostile countries, particularly China. The US has a significant amount of undeveloped reserves, but it faces a timeline that lags behind countries like Canada and Australia, according to the Home Office. They are creating what officials describe as competitive disadvantages.

FAST-41 does not change environmental regulations or public comment rules, but it seeks to clarify timelines, reduce review delays, and help agencies work together more effectively. The program was established under the revised US Surface Transport Act of 2015 and is intended to improve federal coordination and decision-making for major infrastructure projects.

There was no immediate opposition to Friday’s joint announcement by environmental groups.

Earthjustice criticized Trump’s March 20th order for strengthening domestic mining and processing of key minerals.

“Mining operations on public lands are already operating under lovers’ deals, and today’s order will make it even easier for the mine to avoid environmental reviews and damage vulnerable communities, land and significant water sources,” said Blaine Miller-McFeeley, Senior Legislative Representative of Earth Justustus, after a statement after the order was signed.

Miller-McFeeley added that a truly secure supply chain requires legally binding environmental protection and community consultation.