The Trump administration has fast-tracked more than two dozen mining projects under the FAST-41 permitting framework—effectively launching the most aggressive permitting campaign for extractive industries in modern history. Through Executive Order 14241, the administration is repositioning America’s mining sector as the backbone of its “energy dominance” doctrine, with a clear focus on critical and strategic minerals like lithium, copper, uranium, and antimony.
The dashboard now lists 26 projects under the “Transparency” category, with status tags ranging from “Planned” to “In Progress.” While many of these projects remain in the early phases of federal environmental review, the signal is clear: timelines will be accelerated, permitting obstacles minimized, and federal interagency coordination intensified. Each project has been tasked to publish a full permitting timetable by May 16, 2025.
Among the highest-profile entries is the Silver Peak Lithium Mine in Nevada, operated by Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB). It remains the only operational source of domestic lithium in the US. The proposed expansion aims to reconcile nearly 938 acres of previously unauthorized disturbance and add 658 acres of new infrastructure, including brine complexes, ponds, and well drilling to extend the mine’s life another 30 years.
In Idaho, the Stibnite Gold Project—backed by Perpetua Resources (NASDAQ: PPTA)—is progressing through its final permitting stages. The project, supplying both gold and antimony and located on a legacy contaminated site, includes reclamation and water treatment components and is planned to operate for roughly 20 years.
Further north, the NorthMet Project in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, operated by NewRange Copper Nickel, a subsidiary of Teck Resources (TSX: TECK.B), is set to become one of the nation’s first copper-nickel operations. The project involves open-pit mining of polymetallic ore to produce copper and nickel concentrates, with federal oversight led by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Also in early-stage permitting is the Resolution Copper Project in Arizona, backed by a joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP Group, which proposes to tap into one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper resources to supply up to 25% of US copper demand.
At the lithium frontier, McDermitt Exploration Project (HiTech Minerals, a subsidiary of Australia’s Jindalee Resources) is undergoing permitting for a large-scale borehole campaign in Oregon’s portion of the McDermitt Caldera, targeting sediment-hosted lithium resources. Meanwhile, the South West Arkansas Project, sponsored by Standard Lithium, is preparing to extract battery-grade lithium carbonate from brines in the Smackover Formation.
In New Mexico, the Roca Honda Project (Energy Fuels) and La Jara Mesa Project (Laramide Resources) are in the planning stage for underground uranium extraction in historically active districts in New Mexico. In Michigan, Michigan Potash Operating plans to construct a solution mining facility to yield 800,000 tons of muriate of potash and 1 million tons of salt per year. Similarly, the Caldwell Canyon Mine in Idaho will extract phosphate ore across 1,830 acres of federal and state land.
The Warrior Met Coal Mines project in Alabama is undergoing NEPA analysis for two federal coal lease applications that could unlock over 53 million tons of metallurgical coal across 14,040 acres.
Across all these projects, a common theme emerges: the permitting status may still be early, but the political pressure to deliver outcomes quickly is palpable. Most listed ventures show “0 of 3,” “0 of 4,” or “0 of 6” environmental review stages completed. Yet deadlines are fast approaching—May 2 and May 16 feature prominently as the latest target dates for timetables to be released publicly.
Information for this briefing was found via the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
