Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) is advancing its Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in northwestern Alaska with a significant $35.6 million investment from the U.S. Department of Defense. The funding, channeled through the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, will grant the federal government a 10% interest in Trilogy Metals and accelerate exploration and development efforts in the resource-rich Ambler Mining District.
The strategic partnership highlights the growing importance of domestic sources for critical minerals essential to national security and technological advancement. The investment specifically targets copper, zinc, cobalt and lead deposits that drive modern technology, energy systems and advanced manufacturing capabilities. This federal backing comes alongside another major development: the restoration of permits for the Ambler Access Project by President Donald Trump, which will establish a 211-mile industrial-use-only road connecting Alaska's Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District.
The Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects are located within what is considered one of the richest and most prospective copper-dominant districts globally. The area hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits containing copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, along with carbonate replacement deposits that feature high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization. Exploration has concentrated on two primary deposits: the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit, both situated within a land package spanning approximately 190,929 hectares.
Trilogy Metals holds a 50% interest in Ambler Metals LLC, which maintains 100% ownership of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects. The joint venture structure was established when South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, exercised its option to form a 50/50 partnership with Trilogy on December 19, 2019. Ambler Metals has also established a cooperative framework with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native Corporation, ensuring local community involvement in the exploration and potential development of the Ambler Mining District.
The combined developments of federal investment and restored infrastructure access position the Ambler Mining District to potentially become a premier North American copper producer while supporting local subsistence livelihoods. Additional information about Trilogy Metals and its developments is available in the company's newsroom at https://nnw.fm/TMQ. The full context of these announcements can be viewed at https://nnw.fm/yu2Z0.
