The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) took a major step to speed up approvals for domestic mineral production. In response to President Trump’s executive order, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, the Council named 10 mining projects that will now benefit from a faster, more transparent federal permitting process.
These projects, targeting minerals like copper, antimony, lithium, and potash, have been granted FAST-41 status. This designation falls under a 2015 federal initiative that streamlines permitting for major infrastructure projects. The White House confirmed more projects will be added soon.
First Wave of Mineral Projects Gets Priority Review
The press release emphasized that all 10 projects are now listed on the Federal Permitting Dashboard, a public platform that tracks each project’s progress through the environmental review and permitting process. This move ensures:
- Greater transparency for project sponsors, communities, and federal agencies
- Public access to updated timelines and review statuses
- Increased accountability across federal review teams
These changes aim to boost American mineral production, support job growth, and cut down the country’s dependence on foreign mineral imports.
Projects on the Permitting Dashboard
The first group of FAST-41 projects includes:
- Resolution Copper Project
- Stibnite Gold Project
- Warrior Met Coal Mines
- McDermitt Exploration Project
- South West Arkansas Project
- Caldwell Canyon Mine Project
- Libby Exploration Project
- Lisbon Valley Copper Project
- Silver Peak Lithium Mine
- Michigan Potash Project
These sites were submitted by the chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) and are the first batch in what the administration says will be a growing list.
Dashboard Offers Oversight, Not Federal Approval
The Federal order also highlighted an important point that being listed on the dashboard does not mean the federal government endorses or funds these projects. It also does not guarantee project approval. A project’s status can change if new information affects its review scope or requirements.
Still, this transparency effort gives a significant boost to more predictable and accountable permitting for critical mineral resources needed to fuel U.S. economic growth.
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Trump Pushes for Faster U.S. Critical Mineral Production
The U.S. gets 70% of its rare earth minerals from China, which weakens the supply chain for important industries like defense, electronics, and renewable energy. China has also imposed export controls on key materials like gallium and germanium, further increasing the urgency for the U.S. to secure its resources.
On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order to boost the U.S. critical minerals supply chain. It allows the Defense Production Act (DPA) to fund mining and processing projects through the Department of Defense and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. The goal is to speed up production of key minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths, and possibly even coal.
The critical minerals list will also include uranium, copper, potash, and gold. The latest order includes a coal mine, signaling coal’s return to a more prominent role in the U.S. energy mix.
Perpetua Resources Set to Power U.S. Antimony
Critical minerals, particularly antimony, are key for military use. They support missile systems, fighter jets, and advanced communications technology. By expanding domestic production, the U.S. aims to strengthen its defense capabilities and reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions. Under these circumstances, Perpetua Resources Corp’s Stibnite Gold Project will play a major role in boosting domestic antimony supply.
The company announced that its Stibnite Gold Project is one of just 10 projects selected for the Federal Permitting Dashboard, ensuring faster reviews, better coordination, and public tracking.
Perpetua has received nearly $75 million from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Defense Production Act and a $1.8 billion Letter of Interest from the U.S. Export-Import Bank in 2024. The final federal permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected by Q2 2025. The U.S. Forest Service issued its final Record of Decision in January 2025.
The Idaho-based project is the only domestic source of antimony. With China banning antimony exports to the U.S., Stibnite could meet up to 35% of national demand in its first six years, according to the 2023 U.S. Geological Survey.
Jon Cherry, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources, said,
“Being recognized as a Transparency Project by the White House underscores the immense strategic value of the Stibnite Gold Project. We are honored by this selection, which validates the urgency and importance of our Project for America’s economic and national security. We stand ready to restore the site and bolster American mineral independence.”
