Australia-based Jindalee Resources has welcomed the inclusion of its McDermitt lithium project in Oregon among the first ten mining initiatives selected by the US government for accelerated permitting under the FAST-41 programme.

Enacted in 2015, FAST-41 improves coordination, predictability, and transparency of federal permitting for projects of national strategic importance. Projects designated under FAST-41 are listed on the federal permitting dashboard, ensuring publicly accessible permitting timelines and enhancing interagency cooperation.

“Being named among the first ten FAST-41 transparency projects validates McDermitt’s strategic importance to US mineral security,” said Jindalee CEO Ian Rodger on Tuesday.

“Inclusion on the federal permitting dashboard highlights our project's national significance, offering greater transparency and federal support to advance our exploration plan of operations.”

McDermitt’s exploration plan is currently undergoing final review under the National Environmental Policy Act, with an environmental assessment recently released for public comment. Once approved, the plan will pave the way for additional on-site work, including drilling for geological and environmental data, as well as further geotechnical and metallurgical studies.

Rodger emphasised Jindalee’s commitment to developing the project in a transparent and responsible manner, in close coordination with US federal and state agencies.

The inclusion of McDermitt under FAST-41 follows a cooperative research and development agreement between Jindalee subsidiary, HiTech Minerals, and the US Department of Energy last year.

In parallel, a grant application to the US Department of Defence remains afoot to potentially co-fund a feasibility study at McDermitt, with a potential award expected before the middle of the year, said Jindalee.

On the commercial front, the company has appointed advisers and has started engagement with prospective strategic and funding partners following the recent completion of a prefeasibility study.

“The addition of McDermitt to the federal permitting dashboard is expected to reinforce confidence in both funding and partnership discussions, highlighting the project’s national strategic relevance and visibility.”

The McDermitt project hosts one of the largest lithium resources in the US, positioning it as a potentially significant contributor to the country’s clean energy transition and domestic battery supply chain.

Other projects included on the federal dashboard include Rio Tinto’s Resolution Copper project in Arizona, Perpetua’s Stibnite gold project in Idaho, Albemarle’s Silver Peak lithium mine in Nevada, and Warrior Met Coal’s Alabama operations. 

Also on the list are the Caldwell Canyon phosphate project, the Libby and Lisbon Valley copper projects, the South West Arkansas bromine project, and the Michigan potash development.