On the very first day of his second term, President Donald Trump vowed to “unleash” Alaska’s resource potential by opening the state’s most beloved public lands to development.
Now, Trump and his new administration have officially opened the door for some of the state’s most controversial energy projects.
In a March 20 executive order, Trump directed the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to prioritize mineral and energy production on federal lands. The same day, the department announced that the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (1.56 million acres) is now open to oil and gas leases.
Led by Trump appointee Doug Burgum, the DOI will also restart the long-debated Ambler Road mining project, and reopen 82% of the National Petroleum Reserve’s 23 million acres.
The news resulted in immediate interest from mining companies with an eye on the state’s wealth of minerals. Trilogy Metals, Valhalla Metals, and Alaska Metals all issued statements this week praising Trump’s actions, specifically in restarting the Ambler Road project.
The proposed road, meant only for industrial use, would allow mining companies to extract valuable minerals from the Brooks Range — a beloved Alaskan wilderness.
“It is high time that the federal government recognizes the importance of having a domestic supply of metals that are vital to our economy and our national defense, and is willing to take the actions necessary to achieve that objective,” Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, chairman of Valhalla Metals, said.
The Ambler Road project is intended for Canadian and Australian mining firms seeking to extract copper, zinc, and cobalt from the Brooks Range foothills. Both Valhalla Metals and Trilogy Metals, which has long pushed for the Ambler Road project, are Canadian companies. Alaska Metals is based in Anchorage, Alaska.
The area’s minerals have become critically important for the construction of solar panels, wind turbines, and other clean energy technology.
“This transportation corridor is crucial not only for providing access to the minerals that are vital to U.S. national security and prosperity, but also for much-needed economic growth and job creation in Alaska,” Tony Giardini, CEO of Trilogy Metals, said in a statement Tuesday.
The various projects reopened by Trump last week have seen plenty of political football over the years. President Joe Biden withdrew support for the Ambler Road last year, leading Trump to overturn that decision.
Regardless, outdoor organizations and brands said they plan to oppose Trump’s plans for Alaskan energy development, including Patagonia.
“We must, once again, heed the voices of Indigenous peoples, local communities, conservationists, scientists, and outdoor enthusiasts who have loudly and in great numbers declared that drilling has no place in the Arctic Refuge,” said Hans Cole, vice president of environmental activism at Patagonia.
“Patagonia stands with the Tribes and grassroots groups protecting the people and natural landscapes in Alaska. We’ve been supporting environmental nonprofits in the state for more than 30 years, and we’re committed to however many more it takes to see these places protected for good.”
Future of Projects Remains Uncertain
Despite the immediate interest from mining companies, it’s still unclear if the mineral projects championed by Trump will come to fruition.
Two previous attempts at selling oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge didn’t see much progress. While the first sale in 2021 saw “low interest,” another in January 2025 received no bids at all. Alaska’s political leaders have long argued that the leases could bring in billions of dollars to the state. But lease sales in the January 6 auction resulted in just $14.4 million in bids.
“This lease sale was an epic failure for the Trump administration and the Alaska congressional delegation,” Adam Kolton, executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League, said in a statement. “After years of promising a revenue and jobs bonanza they ended up throwing a party for themselves, with the state being one of the only bidders.”
The wilderness areas threatened by Trump’s plans represent some of the most unspoiled parts of Alaska. The wildlife refuge’s coastal plain includes the main birthing ground for America’s largest caribou herd. And the Brooks Range offers some of the most sought-after fishing, hunting, and hiking anywhere in the U.S.
Regardless, mining companies expressed enthusiasm this week about restarting the process. With Trump promising to expedite permitting as fast as possible, the companies’ CEOs sound optimistic.
“Trilogy Metals is committed to working with all stakeholders on progressing the road, to unlock the vast natural resource potential of the Ambler Mining District,” Giardini said.
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