Trump approves Alaska's Ambler Road Project that unlocks access to critical minerals

President Donald Trump on Monday approved an appeal that restores Alaska's Ambler Road Project in furtherance of his American energy dominance policies by expanding access to the northern state's critical mineral supply. 

The order reverses the Biden administration's rejection of the 211-mile gravel road that would connect a mining district in west-central Alaska to the Dalton Highway that runs through the middle of the state. 

The operations in the mining district could provide a steady domestic supply of copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver and cobalt, which are strategic elements needed for manufacturing wind turbines, solar panels, transmission lines and electric-vehicle batteries.

The White House said the construction of the road will support 2,730 jobs, which will help boost Alaska's economy. The state is also expected to see $1.1 billion in revenues from mining license tax revenues, corporate income taxes, production royalties and claim rents associated with the project.

“This decision will unleash development opportunities, create new jobs for Alaskans and secure access to strategic minerals," Alaska's Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a statement. "Thank you [President Trump].”

Other Alaskan leaders and mining companies also praised Trump for renewing the project.

“I thank President Trump for issuing this determination and getting the Ambler project back on track after it was derailed by politics at the end of the Biden administration," Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski said. "Congress enshrined this project’s approval into federal law in 1980 as part of a ‘grand bargain’ to conserve more than 100 million acres of land in Alaska, and it has more national significance now than ever.

"I look forward to federal agencies promptly re-issuing permits and authorizations so that the Ambler access project can finally proceed, and to working with the local people and Alaska Native Corporations to ensure a successful project," she added.

The president's signature marks a significant victory for Alaskans, but developers will still need to bypass multiple lawsuits brought by environmental and tribal groups.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.