Review of uranium mining project near Monticello expedited due to ‘national energy emergency’

MONTICELLO, Utah (ABC4) — A uranium mining project at an old mining site 31 miles outside of Monticello in San Juan County has been placed on the fast track in response to the national energy emergency declared by President Donald Trump at the start of his term.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) said it would be expediting the project’s environmental permitting review performed by the Bureau of Land Management with a 14-day timeline. The DOI said that expediting the project’s review will “significantly contribute to meeting urgent energy demands” and address “key threats to national energy security.”

Past production at the Velvet-Wood mines, where the mining would begin, reported yielded four million pounds of uranium and five million pounds of vanadium.

“The expedited mining project review represents exactly the kind of decisive action we need to secure our energy future,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “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.”

Anfield Energy Inc., which owns the Velvet-Wood mine, said they were pleased to hear the project had been selected for expedited permitting. In a statement, CEO Corey Dias said the small environmental footprint of the mine made it “well-suited” for an accelerated review.

“This marks a major milestone for Anfield as we look to play a meaningful role in rebuilding America’s domestic uranium and vanadium supply chain and reducing reliance on imports from Russia and China,” said Dias.

If approved, the Velvet-Wood mine project would produce more uranium and vanadium by using old workings and developing the Velvet-Wood mineralization. Uses for the uranium and vanadium include fuel for nuclear reactors and strengthening steel, according to the DOI.