Ten US mining projects granted FAST-41 status; Resolution Copper and Perpetua among fast-tracked projects

The White House has announced plans to accelerate the permitting of 10 mining projects across the United States by granting the projects FAST-41 status, a federal initiative designed to streamline approvals for vital infrastructure.

The White House stated: “Identifying these transparency projects under the Permitting Council’s statutory program advances the President’s directive to take immediate action to facilitate domestic production of America’s vast mineral resources to create jobs, fuel prosperity, and significantly reduce our reliance on foreign nations.”

The selected projects include the Resolution Copper project in Arizona and Perpetua Resource’s proposed Stibnite antimony and gold mine in Idaho. The list also includes Warrior Met Coal Mine in Alabama, a Standard Lithium project, Jindalee Lithium’s McDermitt exploration project in Oregon and Hecla Mining’s Libby exploration project in Montana.

Permitting Council acting executive director Manisha Patel said: “This is the first use of the Permitting Council’s transparency authority, and we look forward to showcasing the many benefits the Federal Permitting Dashboard can bring to critical infrastructure projects as part of President Trump’s Executive Order on increasing American mineral production.”

Patel added: “The Federal Permitting Dashboard is a vital tool in enhancing interagency coordination and efficient decision-making and will play an invaluable role in ensuring that these projects receive the most efficient review and authorization process possible in order to bring the benefits of next-generation infrastructure to communities across the nation.”

At the Resolution Copper project, the U.S. Forest Service issued a 60-day notice of the agency’s intent to republish a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the project in Arizona. The FEIS is needed for the approval of a land swap between Resolution Copper and the federal government.

“We are encouraged to hear the U.S. Forest Service intends to republish the final environmental impact statement, which is a positive step forward for the Resolution Copper project after more than a decade of rigorous, independent review and consultation with local communities and Native American Tribes,” said Vicky Peacey, general manager at Resolution Copper.

“This world-class mining project has the potential to become one of the largest copper mines in America, adding up to $1 billion a year to Arizona’s economy and creating thousands of local jobs in a region of rural Arizona where mining has played an important role for more than a century,” Peacey added.

“A decade of feedback from local communities and Native American Tribes has shaped this project every step of the way, and we remain committed to maintaining an open dialogue to ensure the Resolution Copper project moves forward responsibly and sustainably as we transition into the next phase of the permitting process,” she said.

Congress and then-President Barack Obama approved the mine in 2014 after it was added at the last minute to a must-pass military funding bill with the condition that an environmental report be published.
The underground mine would supply more than a quarter of the United States’ appetite for copper and be a key part of Trump’s plan to boost U.S. mining.