Alaska has moved to cut environmental review timelines for mining and energy proposals by roughly 25%, signing a FAST-41 memorandum with federal regulators that targets 2.7 years from 3.6. The deal gives Alaska “a seat at the table,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said, calling it “the beginning of something the whole country could use.”
Permitting Council executive director Emily Domenech said the “first-of-its-kind MOU” aims to triple the number of Alaska projects on the public dashboard, with an emphasis on mining.
Officials said FAST-41 does not change environmental standards. The MOU links Alaska’s Office of Project Management and Permitting with the Permitting Improvement Steering Council, posts public timelines, and holds agencies accountable for schedule changes, including “transparency projects” outside formal FAST-41.
Projects flagged to benefit include Graphite One, Teck Resources’ Red Dog expansion, and Hecla Mining’s Greens Creek mine. Federal authorizations for Teck’s Aqqaluk Pit expansion are complete, so Red Dog-related work moves first among mining projects on the dashboard. Graphite One’s open-pit project north of Nome, with an on-site concentrator, could clear federal review by late next year under the coordinated process, with a construction decision to follow.
Alaska LNG has an updated FAST-41 timetable after re-initiating federal reviews. The NANA Regional Broadband Network—1,167 km of fiber serving Alaska Native villages—is also on the shortlist, showing cross-sector use of the dashboard.
Next, the state and council will identify additional Alaska candidates for FAST-41 coverage and post coordinated schedules, likely focusing on critical-minerals files to reduce re-work and slippage.
Information for this story was found via Mining.com and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
