AIDEA

On Oct. 22, the board of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, also known as AIDEA, unanimously voted to make the money available to support the 211-mile project, which would connect the Dalton Highway to an undeveloped, mining region near the Brooks Range.

This withdrawal follows a decision last month from the Biden administration to choose a “no action” alternative on key permitting documents — which essentially stopped the project from moving forward. Alaska’s congressional delegation criticized the decision.

The funding from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, or AIDEA, was matched by Ambler Metals, the company hoping to use the road to access mineral deposits in the Ambler Mining District. The company’s most promising deposit is referred to as the Arctic Project.

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority board received overwhelming critical public testimony at a board meeting Friday.