In a landmark decision poised to reshape the U.S. energy landscape, the Department of the Interior has granted expedited permitting approval to Anfield Energy’s Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium project in Utah.
This marks the first project to benefit from the Trump administration’s newly implemented emergency procedures, which aim to accelerate energy project approvals to bolster domestic production and national security.
Accelerated Permitting Amid National Energy Emergency
On April 23, 2025, the Department of the Interior announced emergency permitting procedures designed to expedite the review and approval of energy projects, including uranium mining, reducing timelines from years to as little as 14 days. This initiative is part of the administration’s response to a declared national energy emergency, emphasizing the need to strengthen domestic energy supply and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
The Velvet-Wood project, located in San Juan County, Utah, is the first to undergo this accelerated process.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed its environmental assessment within the 14-day timeframe, paving the way for Anfield Energy to advance the project.
Strategic Importance of the Velvet-Wood Project
Anfield Energy’s Velvet-Wood mine is a past-producing site, having yielded approximately 4 million pounds of uranium and 5 million pounds of vanadium between 1979 and 1984.
The current plan involves accessing existing underground workings, resulting in minimal new surface disturbance—only about three acres.
The project is strategically significant due to its potential to contribute to the U.S. supply of critical minerals. Uranium is essential for nuclear energy and national defense applications, while vanadium is used in steel production and aerospace alloys. Currently, the U.S. relies heavily on imports for both minerals, with nearly all uranium and a significant portion of vanadium sourced from foreign countries.
Anfield Energy also owns the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, one of only three licensed conventional uranium mills in the United States. The company plans to restart this facility to process ore from the Velvet-Wood mine, further enhancing domestic uranium production capabilities.
Implications for U.S. Energy Policy
The expedited approval of the Velvet-Wood project underscores the administration’s commitment to revitalizing domestic energy production and reducing dependence on foreign sources. By streamlining the permitting process, the Department of the Interior aims to facilitate the rapid development of critical energy infrastructure.
Anfield Energy’s Velvet-Wood project serves as a case study in the federal government’s new approach to energy project permitting. As the first to navigate the expedited process, its progress will be closely watched by industry stakeholders, environmental advocates, and policymakers alike.
The outcomes of this initiative may influence future decisions on balancing energy development with environmental and public considerations.
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