Velvet-Wood uranium mine project fast-tracked in San Juan County

The Department of Interior has fast-tracked the approval process to reopen a uranium mine in Lisbon Valley.
On May 12, the Department of Interior (DOI) announced the use of emergency procedures as part of a national energy emergency declared by President Trump on January 20, 2025. The procedures are aimed at, in part, decreasing reliance on foreign energy.
The result in San Juan County is an accelerated environmental review by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with a completion timeline of 14 days.
The Velvet-Wood mine is located off Williamson Fork road in Lisbon Valley, less than five miles from the Lisbon Valley Copper Mining operation.
Canadian-based Anfield Energy bought the mine in 2015 and has plans to bring their Shootaring Canyon Mill into production. The mill is located north of Ticaboo on the northwest side of Lake Powell. It is less than 200 miles from the mine in San Juan County to the mill in Garfield County.
A 2023 assessment by the company also identifies their Slick Rock project, located in Disappointment Valley in San Miguel County, Colorado, about 25 miles north of Dove Creek near the Dolores river.
Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says the administration is responding to solve an energy 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’re supporting good-paying American jobs while strengthening our national security and putting the country on a path to true energy independence.”
Environmental groups raised concerns about completing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in just two weeks. The NEPA process – including evaluating which can take multiple years in some instances – is scheduled to be completed in just two weeks. NEPA processes typically include analysis of potential impacts on the project environment, alternatives to consider, and any mitigation required. The process also includes opportunities for public participation in the form of comments and sometimes hearings.
Anfield Energy said that between 1979 and 1984, the Velvet mine produced four million pounds of uranium and five million pounds of vanadium.
While the Velvet project could include opening existing declines and vents, the Wood area of the project has not been mined but is adjacent to the Velvet project.
In its release, the DOI says that the plan would result in just three acres of new surface disturbance, in part because of the existing underground mining plan and existing surface disturbances.
Corey Dias, CEO of Anfield Energy, said the company is pleased the project was selected for expedited permitting.
“As a past-producing uranium and vanadium mine with a small environmental footprint, Velvet-Wood is well-suited for this 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.”