The US Department of the Interior has announced that it will accelerate the environmental permitting review for Anfield Energy’s Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium mine project in San Juan County, Utah.
The project is being fast-tracked under emergency procedures established in response to the national energy emergency declared by President Donald Trump on 20 January 2025.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is tasked with completing the review within 14 days, a move expected to address urgent energy demands and key threats to national energy security.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said: “America is facing an alarming energy emergency because of the prior administration’s Climate Extremist policies. President Trump and his administration are responding with speed and strength to solve this crisis.
“The expedited mining project review represents exactly the kind of decisive action we need to secure our energy future. By cutting needless delays, we are supporting good-paying American jobs while strengthening our national security and putting the country on a path to true energy independence.”
If approved, the project will utilise the old Velvet Mine workings to develop the Velvet-Wood mineralisation, resulting in only three acres of new surface disturbance.
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By GlobalDataAnfield also owns the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, which it plans to restart. This mill will process uranium ore into uranium concentrate, reducing the US’ dependence on imported uranium concentrate.
Uranium has critical commercial uses including fuel for civilian nuclear reactors and medical applications, and is essential for US Navy nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons production.
Additionally, vanadium is a vital component used in steel production and aerospace alloys.
The US currently relies heavily on imports for both uranium and vanadium. In 2023, US nuclear generators sourced 99% of their uranium concentrate from abroad, including countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
In 2024, nearly half of the US’ vanadium consumption was met through imports, with China, Russia, South Africa and Brazil dominating global production.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess said: “By fast-tracking the review process for the project, we are driving American Energy Dominance and ensuring our nation’s energy security.”
The department is leveraging emergency authorities under existing regulations for the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act and the Endangered Species Act.
In March 2025, Trump invoked emergency powers to enhance domestic production of critical minerals to reduce the US’ dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly China.
