Ambler Road and a Federal Stake: What Happened in Alaska

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 6, 2025 that has approved construction of an industrial access road to Alaska's Ambler mining district. The order directs federal agencies to reissue permits that were previously blocked, and it has been framed as a move to secure domestic supplies of copper and other critical minerals. The road would be a 211-mile road and supporters say it could create jobs and reduce reliance on foreign mineral sources.

The U.S. government has also invested $35.6 million and become a 10% stakeholder in Trilogy Metals, with warrants for more shares. Although some local tribal councils have supported the project for economic reasons, many Indigenous groups and environmental organizations have opposed it because they fear harm to caribou, salmon, and rivers. Therefore, legal challenges and debates over permits are likely to continue, while federal agencies work on reissuing approvals.

A government environmental review had found the route would require over 3,000 stream crossings and could affect the Western Arctic caribou herd. However, supporters argue that modern construction methods and oversight can limit damage. The debate has been intense.