Valhalla welcomes decision to open Dalton corridor

Executive Summary

• Valhalla Metals Inc. welcomes the U.S. Department of the Interior's issuance of Public Land Order No. 7966, which opens approximately 2.1 million acres in Alaska's Dalton utility corridor to location and entry under public land and mining laws.
• The order revokes two previous withdrawals (Public Land Orders 5150 and 5180) north of the Yukon River, expanding opportunities for energy and mineral development in the region.
• The announcement specifically identifies the proposed Ambler Access Road as a key infrastructure project within the corridor, a road planned to cross Valhalla's state mining claims at the Sun project, potentially unlocking critical metals in the Ambler mining district.

Key Details

• Regulatory Action: U.S. Department of the Interior issued Public Land Order No. 7966 on Feb. 20, 2026.
• Land Impact: Approximately 2.1 million acres in Alaska's Dalton corridor are now open to location and entry under public land and mining laws.
• Revocations: The order revokes Public Land Order 5150 and Public Land Order 5180.
• Infrastructure Context: The Dalton corridor includes the route of the proposed Ambler Access Road (211-mile, industrial-use-only road).
• Company Relevance: The Ambler Access Road is planned to cross Valhalla Metals' state mining claims at the Sun project.
• Strategic Significance: The development aims to unlock critical and strategic metals located in the Ambler mining district, necessary for the green energy and transportation transition and domestic supply chain security.
• Management Commentary: Chairman Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse stated the action simplifies long-term development of the Ambler mining district by removing the Bureau of Land Management as a landowner along the proposed corridor.

Notable Quotes

• Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior: "President Trump was clear -- promises made are promises kept, and this decision is about unlocking opportunity for American energy dominance to lower costs for all American families... By opening these lands, we are empowering Alaska to chart its own course and develop energy, minerals and infrastructure that strengthen America's security and prosperity."
• Mike Dunleavy, Alaska Governor: "Today's action by secretary Burgum is a milestone for Alaska's self-determination... revoking these public land orders will empower Alaska to chart our own future on these lands."
• Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, Chairman, Valhalla Metals: "Finally -- the pipeline corridor was selected by the state over 50 years ago. It is fantastic news that secretary Burgum and the Trump administration are doing what the federal government was mandated to do years ago... This action will eventually remove the Bureau of Land Management as a landowner along the proposed Ambler Access project corridor, further simplifying the long-term development of the Ambler mining district and unlocking its full mineral potential."