Ambler Metals Statement Following Federal FAST-41 Coverage for Arctic Project
Anchorage, Alaska — May 15th, 2026 — Ambler Metals released the following statement after the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) granted FAST-41 “covered project” status to the Arctic project. FAST-41 (the program established by Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act) coverage provides a comprehensive, integrated permitting timetable to prioritize projects of national importance, bringing greater public transparency to aid with stakeholder and citizen engagement throughout the permitting process.
“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.”
First discovered in the 1970s, Arctic is one of the world’s highest-grade copper deposits with an estimated grade of approximately 5% copper equivalent. The deposit spans 0.4 square miles and holds an estimated 46.7 million tonnes of probable mineral reserves, including copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver.
In April, Ambler Metals submitted an application for a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which initiated federal permitting to build and operate the Arctic mining project. Ambler Metals has an established partnership with NANA, known as the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (UKMP), to explore mining in the area. Development of the Arctic deposit would lead to an estimated 1,000 jobs in both construction and operations, $407 million in State revenue and $60 million in wages per year.
About Ambler Metals
Ambler Metals LLC is an independently operated joint venture formed by South32 Limited and Trilogy Metals Inc. for the exploration and development of the UKMP and advancing projects in the Ambler Mining District in collaboration with NANA. Ambler Metals is an Alaskan company with offices in Anchorage and Fairbanks.