US Fast-Tracking Uranium Mine Permit to Meet ‘Urgent Energy Demands’

This decision is because the US remains “dangerously dependent” on imports to meet uranium demand.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is promoting a review of environmental permits for Utah’s velvetwood mines amid a national energy emergency, the agency said in a statement on May 12.

“If approved, the Velvetwood Mining Project in San Juan County, Utah, will produce uranium and vanadium,” the agency said. Uranium is used as fuel for nuclear reactors and for the production of tritium required for nuclear weapons, while vanadium is used in iron production and titanium aerospace alloys.

“This project will undergo an accelerated environmental review by the Bureau of Land Management and will undergo a 14-day completion timeline. A rapid review is expected to significantly contribute to meeting urgent energy needs and addressing important threats to national energy security,” DOI said.

The US is now “dangerously dependent” on foreign imports, meeting the demand for uranium and vanadium, according to the agency.

In 2023, imports accounted for 99% of the uranium concentrates used by US nuclear generators, the Energy Information Agency (EIA) said in a January 30th statement.

According to the EIA, prior to the 1980s, the US had incentives and favorable trade policies that boosted domestic uranium production. After these policies ended in the 1980s, domestic production was cratered.

For example, the United States produced 43.7 million pounds of uranium concentrate in 1980. By 2019, this had fallen to £174,000.

As for vanadium, nearly half of domestic consumption last year was explained by imports, Doi said.

The major security risk posed by the lack of domestic uranium and vanadium production is the US’s dependence on its rivals.

For example, in 2023, US nuclear generators sourced uranium concentrates from Russian sources, Doy said. Meanwhile, Russia and China are the leading exporters of vanadium, according to World Bank data.

According to the DOI, prompt permission for velvet mines has been issued in response to the national state of emergency issued by President Donald Trump through an executive order on January 20th.

The declaration said the current inadequate development of domestic energy sources would make the United States “vulnerable to hostile foreign actors” and pose a national security threat to the country.

“The United States is facing an incredible energy emergency due to the climate and extremist policies of its previous administration,” said Home Secretary Doug Burgham.

“President Trump and his administration are responding with speed and strength to resolve this crisis.

“The review of the rapid mining project represents absolutely the critical actions needed to ensure an energy future. By reducing unnecessary delays, we are helping to strengthen America’s security and guide the country on the path to true energy independence.”

Speed up your critical resource development

On April 23, DOI announced that it was implementing emergency permitting procedures to accelerate the development of critical minerals and energy resources.

Approval times will be reduced from the previous months or years to up to 28 days, the department said.

This policy can be applied to a wide range of energy sources, including oil, gas, uranium, geothermal, biofuels, and coal. The sun and wind were not listed.

“The US can’t afford to wait,” Burgham said. “By reducing the multi-year permitting process to just 28 days, the sector will lead with a clear focus on urgency, resolution and strengthening the country’s energy independence.”

In a statement on April 24, the Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy group, criticised the DOI policy, calling the abbreviated limits “a bothersomely short.”

“These optional time limits provide a complete review of risks that are not possible for potentially dangerous projects,” said Athan Manuel, director of the Lands Protection Program at Sierra Club.

“Tinsel reviews mean that the true dangers of a project can only be known when thousands of people are dangerously contaminated.”

On March 20, Trump signed an executive order to take “immediate action” to boost mineral production in the United States.

“China, Iran and Russia manage large deposits of several minerals important to the United States, pose national security risks. 70% of US rare earth imports come from China,” said the White House fact sheet on March 20.

“As a critical component of fighter jets, satellites, submarines, smart bombs and missile guidance systems, critical minerals are essential for US military preparation.