GreenLight Metals' Bend Copper-Gold Project Gains FAST-41 Transparency Status on U.S. Federal Permitting Dashboard

Bend Project Secures FAST-41 Transparency Designation in Wisconsin

GreenLight Metals Inc. announced a major advancement for its Bend copper-gold project in Taylor County, Wisconsin, as it was listed on the U.S. Federal Permitting Dashboard as a FAST-41 Transparency Project by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. This federal council is responsible for enhancing transparency and predictability in the U.S. federal environmental review and authorization process. The designation follows Executive Order 14241, "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production," signed on March 20, 2025, directing federal agencies to bolster domestic mineral production and improve permitting coordination.

GreenLight noted that Bend is the first Wisconsin project to be listed as a FAST-41 Transparency Project, highlighting the federal government's prioritization of critical mineral production. The listing offers a publicly accessible platform for stakeholders—including shareholders, regulators, local communities, Tribal Nations, and federal agencies—to track scheduled and actual federal review and authorization milestones. The Bend deposit is a copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit situated within the Penokean Volcanic Belt, approximately 19 miles north-northwest of Medford, Wisconsin.

Lead Agency and Federal Permitting Schedule

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been appointed as the lead federal agency overseeing the environmental review and authorization for the Bend project. As part of the FAST-41 Transparency Project, the Dashboard will feature a comprehensive permitting timetable by or before July 30, 2026. This timetable will enable public tracking of federal review and authorization milestones throughout the permitting process.

The Transparency Project status offers structured advantages, including access to a dedicated Permitting Council project advisor, development of a detailed permitting schedule, and enhanced coordination among federal permitting agencies. However, GreenLight clarified that this status does not alter any statutory or regulatory requirements, environmental laws, review processes, or public participation procedures applicable to Bend, nor does it predetermine federal decisions. All scheduled and actual federal review milestones will be updated on the Dashboard at www.permits.performance.gov for public access.

Project Location and Exploration Activities

The Bend deposit lies within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Taylor County, Wisconsin. To date, GreenLight's exploration has been conducted on the privately owned Soo Line mineral parcel under approvals from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The Transparency Project listing pertains specifically to the federal environmental review of GreenLight's application for a federal prospecting permit covering the federal mineral estate surrounding the Soo Line parcel.

The project’s exploration and permitting involve two mineral management authorities: the U.S. Forest Service manages the surface estate, while the Bureau of Land Management administers the mineral estate. This dual jurisdiction necessitates coordination among multiple federal agencies to advance permitting. The Dashboard will reflect scheduled and actual federal review milestones as the process unfolds, ensuring transparency for all stakeholders.

Critical Minerals Status and Alignment with U.S. Policy

Bend’s inclusion on the Federal Permitting Dashboard underscores its strategic importance in U.S. mineral policy. The copper-gold VMS deposit contains copper and tellurium, both listed on the 2025 U.S. List of Critical Minerals, and gold, which is included under Executive Order 14241’s broader mineral definition for domestic production policy. This classification highlights the project’s role in strengthening domestic mineral supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign sources.

The listing aligns with the U.S. federal government’s focus on enhancing domestic supply chains for copper and other critical minerals, while providing a transparent process for tracking federal review milestones. Located in the Penokean Volcanic Belt, one of North America’s most prospective VMS districts, the Bend project is positioned within a geologically favorable region for copper and gold exploration. GreenLight’s Wisconsin base places it at the heart of vital domestic mineral resources supporting national infrastructure and energy transition goals.

FAST-41 Program and Permitting Council Overview

The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, overseeing the FAST-41 program, was established in 2015 under Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. The council’s mission is to enhance transparency and predictability in federal environmental review and authorization for critical infrastructure projects. It includes the Permitting Council Executive Director (Chair), 13 federal agency members, the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

The Federal Permitting Dashboard (www.permits.performance.gov) is the public portal for the FAST-41 program, offering an online resource for project sponsors, federal agencies, local communities, Tribal Nations, and the public to monitor federal review and authorization timelines. FAST-41 Transparency Project status improves visibility, coordination, and accountability in the permitting process without modifying existing statutory or regulatory requirements for mineral exploration and development.

Executive Remarks on Project Importance

Matt Filgate, President and CEO of GreenLight Metals, stated, "The addition of Bend to the Federal Permitting Dashboard marks a key milestone for GreenLight, providing a transparent, public framework to track the federal review process as Bend progresses. Bend is a copper-gold project in Wisconsin’s Penokean Volcanic Belt, hosting critical minerals that are a national priority." He emphasized the company’s commitment to collaborative federal review engagement.

Filgate added that the Dashboard listing aligns with GreenLight’s dedication to responsible exploration, early stakeholder engagement, and cooperation with federal, state, and local entities. He noted the listing "offers shareholders, regulators, local communities, Tribal Nations, and other stakeholders enhanced visibility into federal review milestones," underscoring GreenLight’s focus on transparency and open communication throughout permitting.

GreenLight Metals’ Portfolio and Strategic Focus

GreenLight Metals Inc. is a Wisconsin-based exploration company advancing copper-gold and gold projects across the Penokean Volcanic Belt, alongside the Kalium Canyon epithermal gold project in Nevada’s Walker Lane. Its Wisconsin portfolio includes the Bend copper-gold deposit, Reef high-grade gold project, and the Lobo and Lobo East massive sulfide targets. The company is also developing Kalium Canyon in Nevada under a binding term sheet for a staged earn-in and joint venture with Barrick Mining Corporation.

GreenLight describes itself as "building a modern minerals company for Wisconsin, by Wisconsin," highlighting local expertise and community engagement. The team has deep Wisconsin roots and is committed to responsible exploration, transparent engagement, and fostering sustainable local opportunities while supplying critical metals essential for the energy transition. The Bend project serves as the flagship asset, with its Transparency Project status exemplifying responsible federal engagement in domestic mineral development.

Investor Insights and Forward-Looking Considerations

Investors should recognize that while Bend’s inclusion on the Federal Permitting Dashboard is a significant procedural achievement, it does not guarantee project approval or expedited permitting. GreenLight cautions that the Transparency Project status or Dashboard listing may be altered or reconsidered, federal permitting priorities or timelines may change, and required permits or authorizations may not be granted or may come with unfavorable terms.

The company also notes that the BLM’s permitting timetable, due by July 30, 2026, could be delayed or modified. Stakeholders are advised to monitor the Federal Permitting Dashboard at www.permits.performance.gov for official updates on federal review milestones. The immediate impact on GreenLight’s share price was not evident from public information. Prospective investors should review GreenLight’s public filings on SEDAR+ to fully assess risks related to exploration and permitting.

Permitting Timeline and Next Steps

While specific timelines remain undisclosed, the Bureau of Land Management will publish a comprehensive permitting timetable by or before July 30, 2026. This will be the first publicly available schedule outlining anticipated stages and timing for federal environmental review and authorization of the Bend project. Scheduled and actual milestones will be updated on the Dashboard, enhancing transparency for investors and stakeholders.

The announcement did not specify regulatory steps or timelines for the federal prospecting permit application covering the federal mineral estate at Bend. The permitting process involves coordination among the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and potentially other federal and state agencies, indicating multiple review stages. A dedicated Permitting Council project advisor will facilitate agency coordination throughout the review.