TSX- and NYSE American-listed Trilogy Metals says the first quarter of the 2026 financial year ended February 28 was a period of accelerating execution across all fronts for the company.

Through its ‘Ambler Metals’ joint venture with Australia-, London- and Johannesburg-listed South32, Trilogy is building the organisational capabilities needed to advance the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in Alaska through its next development phases.

This while the US federal government continues to “show strong support for domestic critical minerals production”.

For Trilogy president and CEO Tony Giardini it is particularly encouraging that the US Department of Interior has opened about 2.1-million acres to mineral entry through Public Land Order 7966, including federal lands along the Ambler Access Project corridor, which removes future uncertainty over land status.

Additionally, the US Interior Secretary indicated that the White House is actively considering participating in Ambler Road Project financing, potentially as an equity partner, which would reinforce the federal government’s commitment to critical mineral infrastructure in Alaska.

The Ambler Access Project is a proposed 211-mile-long private industrial-use-only road in Northwest Alaska connecting the Dalton highway to the Ambler Mining District. Trilogy and South32 received reinstated federal permits in October 2025 to develop a copper, zinc, lead and gold district.

With Trilogy’s field programme for the calendar year being fully funded, the Ambler Metals team being in place and permitting preparations advancing, Giardini says the company is well positioned for a productive year.

The company will be advancing a $35.6-million work programme through Ambler Metals, which includes geotechnical and condemnation drilling at the Arctic prospect and reopening of the Bornite camp for multi-year exploration use.

A binding letter of intent with the US Department of War provides for investment of $35-million, of which $17.8-million is payable to Trilogy to acquire common shares and warrants while the balance is payable to South32 to acquire previously issued common shares and a call option to acquire previously issued shares.

Trilogy had cash on hand of $47.8-million on February 28.

According to Eurasia Review, the metals mining sector makes up between 3% and 4% of Alaska’s GDP, with the country having six major metals mines and hundreds of smaller operations.

The sector is poised for future growth with various projects being commercialised or developed.