Anfield Energy completed its first underground blast in nearly 40 years at the Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium mine in San Juan County on Aug. 27, 2026, marking a major milestone for a project approved via an expedited 14-day environmental review process in May 2025. The project, which was fast-tracked following a national energy emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump, aims to strengthen domestic mineral security and reduce United States dependence on foreign adversaries for critical resources.
Mining Operations and Infrastructure
The Velvet-Wood project, located in San Juan County, Utah, focuses on extracting uranium and vanadium by accessing old Velvet Mine workings and developing the nearby Wood mineralization. According to Anfield Energy, the operation is designed to result in only three acres of new surface disturbance because the majority of the work will take place underground, targeting known mineral deposits left from previous operations.
Beyond the mine itself, Anfield Energy intends to reopen the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill located south of Hanksville, Utah. This facility is one of only three licensed, permitted, and constructed uranium mills in the United States. The mill is expected to convert uranium ore into uranium concentrate, a move intended to decrease America's reliance on imported uranium concentrate.
Expedited Federal Review
The expedited approval process for the mine was initiated in response to a national energy emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, 2025. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on May 23, 2025, that the Velvet-Wood mine would be the first project approved under a newly established 14-day environmental review process.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the approval marks a turning point in securing America's mineral future. He noted that by streamlining the review process for critical mineral projects like Velvet-Wood, the department is reducing dependence on foreign adversaries and ensuring the military, medical, and energy sectors have the resources required to thrive. Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess added that fast-tracking the review process is a way of driving American Energy Dominance.
Global Mineral Dependency
The push for domestic production comes as the United States faces significant reliance on foreign sources for both uranium and vanadium. In 2023, under the Biden administration, 99% of the uranium used by U.S. nuclear power plants was imported from other countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
Vanadium consumption also shows a heavy reliance on international markets. In 2024, nearly half of the vanadium used in the United States was imported. Furthermore, almost all global vanadium production is concentrated in China, Russia, South Africa, and Brazil.
Critical Industrial Uses
The minerals targeted at the Velvet-Wood site serve critical roles in various industrial and defense sectors. Uranium is vital for powering civilian nuclear plants, supporting medical treatments, and fueling U.S. Navy nuclear reactors, such as those on the Virginia-class attack submarine. It is also required for the production of tritium for nuclear weapons.
Vanadium serves as a strengthening agent in steel production and is used in titanium alloys for both commercial and military aircraft. President Trump's national energy emergency declaration noted that inadequate domestic development of these resources leaves the nation vulnerable to hostile foreign actors and poses a threat to national security.
Federal Land Management Role
The Bureau of Land Management is tasked with overseeing the extraction of critical minerals on federally managed public lands. This includes managing resources needed for technologies like data centers and defense applications, as well as authorizing the development of traditional energy sources such as oil, gas, and coal.
Through permitting and environmental oversight, the Bureau of Land Management aims to ensure a stable supply of essential resources and reduce reliance on foreign minerals to support key industrial sectors.
