In support of President Donald J. Trump's directive to accelerate domestic critical mineral production, the Department of the Interior is taking steps to streamline permitting processes and improve federal accountability by working with Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to add critical minerals infrastructure projects to the FAST-41 program.
FAST-41 is a legislatively established process for improving federal agency coordination and timeliness of environmental reviews for infrastructure projects, as established by Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. This act established the FAST-41 review process and the Permitting Council to implement it. Through FAST-41, the Permitting Council provides focused, hands-on permitting support to infrastructure projects and improves efficiency through clearer timelines and better coordination across federal agencies.
"For too long, duplicative processes and regulatory paralysis have delayed the development of the minerals America needs to power everything from national defense systems to smartphones," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. "By cutting red tape and increasing accountability, we're making it clear that under President Trump, the United States is serious about being a global leader in critical minerals."
These efforts directly support Executive Order 14241, which called on all federal agencies to streamline the permitting of infrastructure and energy projects vital to American security and economic prosperity. The Transparency List provides public visibility into the permitting status of major projects, promoting faster decision-making and removing unnecessary delays.
The United States currently imports many key minerals-even though the U.S. has abundant domestic reserves capable of supporting high-tech manufacturing, national defense and energy infrastructure. These imports often come from geopolitical competitors, leaving critical segments of the U.S. economy vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and foreign influence.
One of the primary barriers to unlocking America's mineral wealth is the lengthy and often duplicative permitting process, which can stretch seven to 10 years for a single mine. In contrast, countries like Australia and Canada complete permitting in as little as two to five years, giving them a competitive advantage in attracting investment and building resilient mineral supply chains.
This permitting gridlock discourages domestic production, drives up costs for American manufacturers, and increases dependence on foreign adversaries. Projects get stuck in years of environmental reviews, agency overlap and inconsistent timelines-despite bipartisan acknowledgment that the United States must secure a domestic critical minerals strategy.
The following Department-managed projects have been added to the FAST-41 program by the Permitting Council. These projects are all in various stages of the NEPA process and will now be tracked on the FAST-41 dashboard to promote transparency in the permitting process.
Caldwell Canyon Revised Mine and Reclamation Plan, an open pit phosphate mine, in Caribou County, Idaho
HiTech Lithium Exploration Plan of Operations, a proposal to explore for lithium in the McDermitt Caldera, in Malheur County, Oregon
Lisbon Valley Mining Company Plan Modification Project, an open pit copper mine in San Juan County, Utah
Silver Peak Lithium Mine Amendment to Plan of Operations, a lithium mine expansion, in Esmerelda County, Nevada
Warrior Met Coal Mines, a lease by application in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Interior remains committed to engaging early with tribal governments and local communities to ensure responsible, respectful and efficient development on public lands.
The Trump administration's commitment to American Energy Dominance includes securing a domestic critical minerals supply chain that supports national security, job creation and long-term economic growth.
FAST-41 does not change any statutory or regulatory requirement, environmental law, regulation, review process, or public involvement procedure, and does not predetermine the outcome of any federal decision-making process.
