The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved a Canadian company’s plan to restart uranium mining operations in eastern Utah, completing a process that normally takes years in just 14 days. The approval clears the way for Anfield Energy to move forward with its Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium project in San Juan County, located at the site of a previously active mine.
The fast-tracked review marks the first permit granted under a new emergency process implemented by the Interior Department to accelerate energy project approvals on federal lands. This process was established in response to President Donald Trump’s national energy emergency declaration, signed on his first day in office this January. The declaration aimed to increase domestic energy production, lower fuel costs, and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers for critical resources.
The rapid pace of the environmental review stands out, as permitting uranium mining projects has historically involved years of environmental studies due to the potential for long-term contamination risks and health hazards. Uranium mining poses risks to groundwater, air quality, and nearby ecosystems, which typically prompts extensive analysis and public input periods. The Velvet-Wood review lasted only two weeks.
Anfield Energy submitted its plan of operations on April 1, as posted on the Interior Department’s online registry. By mid-April, the Bureau of Land Management had granted the final approval, authorizing the company to reopen mining operations.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum released a statement Friday after the decision, framing the expedited approval as part of a broader strategy to secure domestic access to strategic minerals. “This approval marks a turning point in how we secure America’s mineral future,” Burgum said. “By streamlining the review process for critical mineral projects like Velvet-Wood, we’re reducing dependence on foreign adversaries and ensuring our military, medical and energy sectors have the resources they need to thrive. This is mineral security in action.”
Anfield Energy did not respond to requests for comment.
The Velvet-Wood project will extract both uranium and vanadium. Uranium is a radioactive element used primarily for nuclear power generation and in the production of nuclear weapons. Vanadium, while less prominent, is valued for its use in strengthening steel and for potential applications in energy storage technologies such as batteries.
The project site has a history of uranium production, with previous mining operations in the area. That legacy likely contributed to its selection for reactivation under the new fast-track process. Still, environmental advocates and some local groups have long raised concerns about the cumulative impacts of uranium mining in the region, especially given its proximity to Native American communities and public lands.
The Trump administration’s emergency declaration and subsequent permitting overhaul signal a shift in how federal agencies approach resource extraction. The Interior Department has said more projects are expected to be reviewed under the new procedures in the coming months, suggesting this approval could be the first in a wave of rapid decisions.
As the government pushes forward with energy and mineral extraction goals, the Velvet-Wood case is likely to become a key reference point in ongoing debates over environmental oversight, tribal consultation, and the pace of permitting decisions. For now, Anfield Energy has the green light to restart operations, with limited federal scrutiny and under a drastically shortened timeline.
The above references an opinion and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a licensed professional for investment advice. The author is not an insider or shareholder of any of the companies mentioned above.
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