SC Alaska News

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Congressman Nick Begich, all Republicans from Alaska, have issued statements following President Donald J. Trump’s decision to re-approve the Ambler Access Project in Alaska. The determination was made under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), which allows the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) to appeal a federal disapproval directly to the President.

In addition to this presidential determination, the Department of Defense announced a $35.6 million investment through a strategic partnership with Ambler Metals. This investment aims to advance mining exploration in the Ambler Mining District and gives the Department an equity stake in Trilogy Metals, part of the Ambler Metals joint venture.

Senator Murkowski stated: “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. 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. The President’s re-approval will unlock a world-class mining district, deliver quality-of-life benefits for communities in the region, and help grow Alaska’s economy. It will also improve our national security by strengthening our mineral security and enabling us to produce more of our most important resources here at home. 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.”

Senator Sullivan commented: “I want to thank President Trump and his team, especially Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, for granting this appeal under Section 1106 of ANILCA, rolling back the Biden administration’s egregious and lawless denial of a right-of-way for the Ambler Access Project. This appeal is great news for Alaska, for jobs for our workers, for American national security, for reducing our country’s critical mineral dependence on China, and for the incredible Alaskans of the region. I just spoke by phone with the President about this important announcement, and he reiterated his strong commitment to advancing the Ambler Access Project, and so many other important projects for our state, including the King Cove Road and the Alaska LNG Project. I’ve always said the Ambler Access Project has to be done right, with close consultation with Alaska Native and community leaders and with respect for our environment and subsistence way of life. We were able to make great progress on these fronts under the first Trump administration, but the Biden administration came in and killed this project and the thousands of good-paying jobs, economic opportunity, and improved cost of living across the region that would come with it, subverting the clear intent of ANILCA. I’m glad to see another critically important project for our state’s economy and working families being put back on track.”

Congressman Begich added: “The Ambler Mining District is a strategic asset for Alaska and an important pathway to critical mineral development in the United States. By advancing this access, we are creating new opportunities for Alaskans while strengthening America’s supply chain and reducing dependence on foreign adversaries for our critical mineral needs. I applaud the President’s decision to support this appeal, and I look forward to working with the Administration, state leaders, and Alaska Native communities to ensure this project moves forward in a way that benefits all Alaskans.”

The Ambler Access Project aims to provide surface transportation access from Dalton Highway westward into northwestern Alaska's mining district—an area known for its deposits of copper as well as other minerals such as cobalt, gallium, and germanium—resources considered essential due their use in electronics manufacturing among other sectors.

The U.S currently relies heavily on imports from foreign countries—including China—for several minerals found within this district.

Under ANILCA provisions established by Congress in 1980—which balanced conservation efforts such as creating Gates of Arctic National Park & Preserve alongside resource development—a right-of-way was mandated across federal lands specifically so that projects like Ambler could move forward if they met legal requirements.

Federal permitting began ten years ago; rights-of-way were approved in 2020 but later reversed during subsequent environmental review initiated by court remand under President Biden's administration before ultimately being rejected last year.

Following AIDEA's direct appeal earlier this year—as allowed under Section 1106—the president had 120 days per statute guidelines within which factors like transportation need or national security interests must be weighed before making a final determination.

With Trump's approval now granted under those terms—all relevant federal agencies are required by law "to promptly issue" necessary permits or authorizations so construction may proceed.