The 10 Critical Mineral Projects Being Fast-Tracked Under President Trump’s Executive Order
With the push to onshore both mining and manufacturing, the first round of projects have been selected that will set the standards for permitting and environmental review changes.
The United States is stepping up efforts to secure domestic sources of minerals tied to national security and industrial capacity. On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.” The order is aimed at cutting red tape and pushing more U.S. mineral projects into production. This article outlines the order, explains how it works with the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (FAST-41), and provides details on the 10 selected critical mineral projects.
Executive Order: Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production
The order, signed on March 20, 2025, targets U.S. dependence on imported minerals by pushing forward domestic production of lithium, copper, potash, gold, and other materials used in defense, infrastructure, and energy systems. It identifies regulatory delays as a barrier to U.S. production and calls for a more reliable mineral supply.
Main Points:
Faster Permitting: Within 10 days, federal agencies must submit lists of pending mineral projects to the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC). Working with the NEDC, agencies will flag projects for immediate approval or faster review to avoid unnecessary hold-ups.