Canadian-American mining company Contango Silver and Gold has its sights set on developing Cook Inlet Region, Inc.’s (CIRI) private land inholding in the heart of Lake Clark National Park. Their proposed Johnson Tract Mine is a gold project with some zinc, copper, silver, and lead mixed in. Will this short-lived, seven-year mine meaningfully address the domestic critical minerals shortage? Certainly not. What it will do is help the administration accelerate extractive development for the benefit of political insiders and, in some cases, their own families. Contango’s claim that Johnson Tract will help the United States’ energy dominance is disingenuous.
Gold makes up at least 70% of the money Contango expects to pull from Johnson Tract. Still, they’re calling it a “Critical Minerals Project” to secure admission into the federal FAST-41 fast-track program. This program, run by the National Energy Dominance Council, is supposed to be for projects deemed necessary for national security. However, FAST-41 cuts corners on environmental, economic, and community health reviews, and limits public input. That means more risk for the people and places that actually have to live with the consequences.
Relative to the make up of this small deposit, the Johnson Tract does have a substantial amount of zinc. But let’s be real, a seven-year mine is a drop in the bucket when it comes to building a stable, long-term supply chain. Extracting such a short-term resource in the middle of Lake Clark National Park is more about political showmanship than a meaningful contribution to American mineral independence.
There’s also no rule that says Contango—or any FAST-41 mine—has to process or refine these critical minerals byproducts in the U.S. or allied countries. Right now, we don’t even have the capacity to do it. The U.S. imports 70% of its refined zinc, and China controls most of the processing. Thanks to ongoing trade wars, American manufacturers could end up paying tariffs just to buy minerals dug up here at home.
Fast-tracking mining projects without the same attention placed on any other part of the supply chain doesn’t make the U.S. more safe or independent. It just shows where the real priorities lie: personal profit. A July 2026 New York Times article exposed the insidious ties between mining companies and the families of the very politicians driving policy to make these same companies successful —Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
In the mining sector FAST-41 has become a lucrative tool to keep Wall Street happy and attract private investors by reducing permitting uncertainty. The surge of investments that pour into a project as permits are progressing is often when mining companies and early investors make the most money. With insider connections, the sons of Trump and Lutnick are getting in early and cashing in on mining projects their fathers helped push to the permitting finish line.
Take Contango as an example: Lutnick’s family company, Cantor Fitzgerald, is Contango’s financial advisor, equity researcher, and underwriter. When Lutnick became Secretary of Commerce in 2025, he handed legal ownership to his sons. Nonetheless, he still sits on the Federal Permitting Council that oversees FAST-41 and signs off on projects — including Johnson Tract — that benefit companies tied to his own family’s investment bank.
In conversation with Inletkeeper, Dave Chambers, Founder of the Center for Science in Public Participation and mining development and exploration expert, reminds us to “watch what they do, not what they say.” There is a lot of political posturing that aims to paint this project as critical and for the greater good of the country, but don’t be fooled. This a gold mine meant to build wealth for already incredibly wealthy people.
In the end, gold is what makes Johnson Tract valuable, and gold is what Contango will chase if mining starts. Contango Silver and Gold is enjoying being rushed through the permitting process, but they are under no obligation to maximize the extraction of the zinc, copper or lead found in the deposit. There would be little motivation for them to do so considering these base metals sell at pennies on the dollar relative to gold. What Contango finds critical is maximizing profits and cashing in on high gold prices, not a relatively small amount of base metals that will barely make a dent in any domestic supply.
As consequential permits for the mine loom on the horizon for the upcoming year, Inletkeeper remains committed to fighting for the critical habitat and local economies supported by Lake Clark National Park. We won’t let these be sacrificed just because a primary gold mine is labeled as a “critical minerals” project.
You can help. Tell the Army Corps to do their due diligence and fully review the permits for the industrial haul road and port in the park. Sign our petition today and demand a full Environmental Impact Statement, a real public process, and meaningful Tribal consultation before anything moves forward.