President Donald Trump has approved the Ambler mining road project, a 211-mile route through Alaska’s wilderness to access copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals. The road had been initially approved during Trump’s first term but blocked by the Biden administration over concerns about wildlife and Indigenous communities.
The project, north of Fairbanks, aims to connect mining sites with the road network. Trump emphasized the project’s economic potential during an Oval Office event, saying it “should have been long operating and making billions for our country” and criticized the previous administration for halting it.
The Interior Department, led by Secretary Doug Burgum, noted that Ambler Road will provide access to minerals vital for technology and defense. Copper, cobalt, and other materials are crucial for electronics, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence development. Burgum highlighted the need for these resources to maintain competitiveness in global technology sectors.
Supporters, including Alaska’s congressional delegation, argue the road is essential for reaching a copper deposit valued at over $7 billion. They say the project could create jobs, increase local revenue, and strengthen the U.S. supply of critical minerals.
Opposition to the road remains strong, particularly among Alaska Native groups. A coalition of 40 federally recognized tribes expressed concerns that construction and mining could harm subsistence hunting and fishing, as the route passes through key caribou and salmon habitats.
Karmen Monigold, an Inupiaq member of Protect the Kobuk, said she was heartbroken by the decision but remains hopeful that legal action can halt the project. “We still matter,” she said, recalling her community’s resilience in the face of past assimilation efforts.
The two-lane gravel road includes about 26 miles through the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. It also crosses 11 rivers and thousands of streams before reaching the mining site. Environmental advocates warn that this could disrupt wildlife and sensitive ecosystems in the region.
Last month, the Republican-led House passed a bill to ease restrictions on mining and drilling across public lands in Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota. The legislation repeals land management plans from the final days of the Biden administration, which aimed to limit fossil fuel extraction and reduce carbon emissions.
Trump’s administration continues to push for resource development, emphasizing both mining and drilling. Burgum stated, “We’ve got to get back in the mining business,” reflecting the administration’s focus on national economic growth and energy independence.
The U.S. government is also taking equity stakes in mining projects abroad. It recently acquired minority shares in Lithium Americas, developing a major lithium mine in Nevada, and in the Thacker Pass lithium project, a joint venture with General Motors.
Ambler Metals, a partnership between Trilogy Metals and Australia’s South32, thanked Trump for moving the project forward. Managing Director Kaleb Froehlich said the road “will help secure the critical minerals our country needs for economic competitiveness and national defense, while also delivering meaningful benefits here at home.”
The Ambler Road project reflects ongoing debates between economic development and environmental preservation. While proponents highlight resource security, job creation, and strategic minerals, critics warn of lasting impacts on wildlife, Indigenous rights, and sensitive ecosystems. With Trump’s approval, the project is expected to move forward, though legal challenges from Alaska Native groups could delay construction. The outcome will likely shape the balance between U.S. mineral extraction and environmental stewardship for years to come.