Biden Administration Set to Reject Access Road to Ambler Mining District in Alaska

The Biden administration is preparing to reject the construction of an access road to the Ambler mining district in northern Alaska, according to a report by Politico. The U.S. Interior Department's recommendation to end the project in its current form is expected to be included in an environmental analysis due later this week.

The Ambler project sought to open a remote area rich in copper, zinc, lead, and rare earth deposits that could be used in weapons manufacturing. Trilogy Metals is one of the region's potential developers. However, the decision to reject the project has been sought by Alaskan tribes who want to preserve the pristine wilderness in the area.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, has been pushing Democratic President Joe Biden to approve the construction of the 211-mile industrial road through fragile Alaskan wilderness to the large copper deposit. The administration's final environmental analysis, expected later this week, is likely to recommend against the road project in its current form.

The U.S. Department of the Interior is expected to issue an environmental report that recommends denying a permit needed to build the access road, which would link Alaska's road system to the mining district, crossing the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. The Trump administration had previously approved the right-of-way permit in 2020, but conservation groups and Alaska tribal entities sued to overturn the decision.

Why this matters: The decision to reject the Ambler Access Project is seen as a setback for mineral development in the region, which contains significant deposits of copper, zinc, and other critical minerals. It also comes as the Biden administration tries to find a balance between different and sometimes opposing goals, as it previously approved the $8 billion Willow oil drilling project on pristine federal land in Alaska.

The Biden administration identified legal flaws in the process related to subsistence impacts and tribal consultation, leading to the suspension of the permit and a supplemental environmental review. Supporters say the road could lead to jobs and revenue, while opponents express concerns about construction costs, impacts on caribou and other wildlife, and pollution. The Interior Department is expected to make a final decision and explanation later this year.

Key Takeaways

• Biden admin to reject access road to Ambler mining district in Alaska
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