A new mining project in Arizona has become the first of its kind to receive a fast-track designation that will speed up the permitting process and reduce regulatory hurdles. This article explains why this is a significant step forward for America’s energy potential and how it can help the country compete with China and reduce its environmental impact.

In the midst of a partisan permitting reform fight in Washington D.C, a new mining project in Arizona has made history.

The South32 Hermosa project in southern Arizona has become the first critical mineral mine to receive FAST-41 designation. Put simply, this means that the normally arduous permitting process will be expedited for this particular project. FAST-41 was passed in 2015 “to improve the timeliness, predictability, and transparency of the Federal environmental review and authorization process for covered infrastructure projects,” according to the