ExxonMobil to Shut Older Singapore Steam Cracker Amid Global Petrochemical Downturn 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
U.S. to Reduce Import Duties on South Korean Autos Under New Trade Agreement 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
USPS Expands Electric Vehicle Fleet as Nationwide Transition Accelerates 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
Amazon Italy Pays €180M in Compensation as Delivery Staff Probe Ends 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
Rio Tinto Raises 2025 Copper Output Outlook as Oyu Tolgoi Expansion Accelerates 
U.S. Officials Say Afghan Suspect in D.C. National Guard Shooting Radicalized After Arrival 
Peru Moves to Declare State of Emergency at Chile Border as Migrant Tensions Rise 
Airbus Faces Pressure After November Deliveries Dip Amid Industrial Setback 
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.
