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The White House has announced plans to fast-track permitting for 10 strategic mining projects across the United States under the FAST-41 initiative, aimed at accelerating the domestic production of critical minerals like copper, lithium, and antimony. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader agenda to reduce reliance on foreign mineral imports and strengthen U.S. energy and national security.
The selected projects include Perpetua Resources’ gold and antimony mine in Idaho, Rio Tinto’s Resolution copper project in Arizona, Hecla Mining’s copper and silver project in Montana, Albemarle’s lithium expansion in Nevada, Standard Lithium’s direct lithium extraction facility in Arkansas, and Warrior Met Coal’s metallurgical coal project in Alabama. Metallurgical coal is essential for steel production. Each project has received FAST-41 designation, allowing their permitting progress to be publicly tracked, which the White House says increases transparency and accountability.
Mining companies welcomed the move. Perpetua stated the decision highlights the urgency and importance of their project for U.S. security. Rio Tinto emphasized its Arizona copper mine’s role in meeting domestic infrastructure and energy demands. Albemarle expressed readiness to support the development of a national lithium supply chain.
The White House also plans to add more projects to the list, reinforcing its commitment to building a resilient critical minerals infrastructure. Trump’s administration continues to spotlight mineral independence, following his recent order to investigate potential new tariffs on critical mineral imports. This escalation underscores growing tensions with global trade partners, especially China, the world’s dominant supplier of rare earths and other strategic materials.
The move mirrors an earlier decision by the Biden administration, which granted FAST-41 status to South32’s Hermosa zinc-manganese project in Arizona—the first mine to receive the designation.
