'Mine baby mine': Trump approves Alaska mining road to boost copper, zinc production; aims to counter China in AI race

US President Donald Trump on Monday approved plans to build a 211-mile road through remote parts of Alaska to open up access to valuable mineral deposits, including copper, cobalt and gold.

The , located north of Fairbanks, had first been cleared during Trump’s earlier term in office, however, the Biden administration later halted it, citing threats to caribou and other wildlife, as well as to Alaska’s Native tribes that depend on hunting and fishing.


At a ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump said the project “is something that should’ve been long operating and making billions of dollars for our country and supplying a lot of energy and minerals.” He also criticised former President Joe Biden, saying he “undid it and wasted a lot of time and a lot of money, a lot of effort. And now we’re starting again. And this time we have plenty of time to get it done."

The White House also announced a 10% equity stake in Trilogy Metals, a Canadian firm developing the Ambler site with an Australian partner, AP reported.

In a separate move last week, the US government also announced buying a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas and a 5% stake in its Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, which is being developed with General Motors.

Interior secretary Doug Burgum highlighted the strategic importance of the project, saying it will provide access to minerals “that we need to win the AI arms race against China.” Supporters, including Alaska’s congressional delegation, have emphasised the economic potential, noting the copper deposits could be worth more than $7 billion. Copper is essential in electronics, vehicles, and renewable energy technologies.

But the project faces strong opposition. A coalition of 40 federally recognised tribes warns that the road could threaten traditional subsistence hunting and fishing, and damage salmon and caribou habitats.

Karmen Monigold, an Inupiaq member of Protect the Kobuk, expressed deep concern. “And then I reminded myself of who we are, and who our people are and how far we’ve come,'' she said. “They tried to assimilate us, to wipe us out and yet we’re still here. We still matter.” She indicated that Alaska Native groups may once again pursue legal action to block the road, as reported by AP.

The proposed two-lane gravel road would cut through 26 miles of Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and cross 11 rivers and thousands of streams before reaching the planned mine site.

Last month, the Republican-controlled House approved legislation allowing wider mining and drilling on public lands, reversing land protections put in place under Biden to limit fossil fuel extraction and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Trump and his allies argue that opening up the land will create jobs, increase revenue, and secure critical minerals for national security.

The US president has often said, “drill, baby, drill,” and supported “mine, baby, mine,” Burgum said. “We’ve got to get back in the mining business.”

Trump's order states that the proposed road is in the public interest, given US needs for domestic critical minerals, and says there is no economically feasible alternative route.