www.AKRDC.org 33 VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2025 minerals critical to America's economic well-being and national security. "The Ambler Mining District has extensive deposits of critical minerals and could be a secure, reliable U.S. supply-chain resource, essential for our Nation's tech-focused economy, green energy products, and military effectiveness," the Dunleavy administration penned in its Alaska priorities report to the Trump transition team. During Trump's first term in office, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service issued a joint record of decision granting a right-of-way to build the Ambler Road across two relatively short segments of federal lands along the 211-mile route that would connect the Ambler Mining District to Alaska's highway system. Under the Biden administration, however, BLM reversed its previously issued authorization. The Biden administration's denial of Ambler Road permits was viewed as a violation of the Congressional guarantee included in the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) "Congress finds that there is a need for access for surface transportation purposes across the Western (Kobuk River) unit of the Gates of the Arctic National Preserve (from the Ambler Mining District to the Alaska Pipeline Haul Road) and the Secretary shall permit such access in accordance with the provisions of this subsection." — Section 201 (4) of ANILCA. Under the Biden administration, BLM reversed its decision on the permits for a road that would have met the requirements of this Congressional mandate. "This denial is a violation of ANILCA," the Dunleavy administration penned in its Alaska priorities report. "The new Trump Administration should rescind the unlawful Biden Administration ROD and issue a new decision restoring the right-of-way permits previously granted to the State. Trump's Unleashing Alaska executive order marks the first step toward reinstating Ambler Road permits. Federal agencies have been ordered to review the 2020 Ambler Road record of decision for any legal or other deficiencies and make sure those are rectified before reinstating the federal permits. "No doubt this action will take time to correct, but it is a very clear signal that President Trump means business and means to carry through on his promises," said Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, chairman of Valhalla Metals, a company exploring a high-grade minerals project along the Ambler Road route. "ANILCA guaranteed access be provided to the State of Alaska and Alaska Native corporations in order to develop the Ambler Mining District. After 45 years it is about time that we have a President who is willing to deliver on that promise!" This move on Trump's first day back in office will help unlock the Ambler Mining District's potential to provide a secure domestic source of copper, zinc, cobalt, and other minerals critical for America's transition to green energy and tech-focused industries and is one part of a larger plan to unleash Alaska's extraordinary resource potential. Photos Courtesy Ambler Metals
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