It seems like the spotlight is firmly fixed on Alaska’s energy and mineral resources. In a single day, two compelling stories have emerged, underscoring the abundant wealth in the Last Frontier’s treasure chest.

The latest development involves the Johnson Tract project, located in south-central Alaska. This gold, silver, zinc, and lead venture has been expedited under the FAST-41 program, a federal initiative designed to streamline the approval process for significant infrastructure projects.

Among the six projects in Alaska benefiting from the FAST-41 acceleration, the Johnson Tract stands out. Nestled on the western shores of Cook Inlet, this site offers a logistical advantage. Unlike more isolated locations, the Johnson Tract allows for easier transport of extracted ores via water to distant refining facilities. This approach minimizes the need for a large on-site refining operation, thereby reducing environmental concerns related to waste and tailings.

Additionally, the proximity to Anchorage facilitates smoother resupply operations, whether by air or sea, making it a strategic spot for such a significant mining endeavor.

The resources estimated to be recoverable from the Johnson Project promise a wealth of strategic minerals. This development hints at the possibility of a modern-day gold rush, ushering in a new era of prosperity for Alaska.

Under the Trump administration, the Permitting Council has steadily added to the list of mining projects eligible for the streamlined permitting and transparency offered by the FAST-41 program.

“I am thrilled to welcome the 51st critical mineral and mining project to FAST-41,” said Permitting Council Executive Director Emily Domenech.

Six of the projects fast-tracked under FAST-41 are in Alaska. The Johnson Tract project is not only a wellspring of mineral wealth, but it’s also in south-central Alaska, on the west side of Cook Inlet, making transport problems less onerous than in some more remote locations. Ores recovered from the Johnson site can be transported by water to refining facilities located elsewhere, removing the necessity of a large refining facility and all that goes with that (tailings, mine waste, and so on) at the site. The site is also close to Anchorage, making resupply by air or water easier.

Alaska’s latest mineral win. pic.twitter.com/yvs7dejY8o

— Ward Clark (@TheGreatLander) December 5, 2025

Here’s what is estimated to be recoverable from the Johnson Project:

According to the most recent calculation, the JT Deposit at Johnson Tract hosts 3.49 million metric tons of indicated resource averaging 5.33 grams per metric ton (598,000 oz) gold, 6 g/t (673,000 oz) silver, 5.21% (400.8 million pounds) zinc, 0.59% (43.1 million lb) copper, and 0.67% (51.5 million lb) lead.

An initial assessment (IA) based on this resource outlines plans for an underground mine at JT Deposit that would produce roughly 500,000 oz of gold, 500,000 oz of silver, 32.2 million lb of copper, 279.3 million lb of zinc, and 41.8 million lb of lead from 2.7 million metric tons of ore mined over seven years.

These are all strategic minerals. Alaska may well be about to experience another gold rush.