“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,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
“The expedited mining project review represents exactly the kind of decisive action we need to secure our energy future. By cutting needless delays, we’re supporting good-paying American jobs while strengthening our national security and putting the country on a path to true energy independence.”
The Velvet-Wood mine project in San Juan County, Utah, plans to produce uranium and vanadium by accessing old Velvet Mine workings and developing new mineralization. The project will result in minimal new surface disturbance due to the proposed underground mining plan.
Anfield, the company behind the project, also owns the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, which they plan to restart. This mill will convert uranium ore into uranium concentrate, reducing reliance on imported uranium.
Uranium is used for civilian nuclear reactors, medical applications, U.S. Navy nuclear reactors, and tritium production for nuclear weapons. Vanadium is crucial for strengthening steel and titanium aerospace alloys.
The U.S. heavily relies on foreign imports for both minerals, with significant percentages coming from countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, and South Africa.
The administrator national energy emergency declaration highlights the vulnerability of the U.S. due to inadequate domestic energy resource development.
The Bureau of Land Management, under Secretary Burgum’s leadership, aims to support energy independence by overseeing mineral extraction and traditional energy production, ensuring a stable supply of essential resources.
“Today’s actions will greatly accelerate the permitting review of the Velvet-Wood,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. “By fast-tracking the review process for the project, we are driving American Energy Dominance and ensuring our nation’s energy security.”