The Trump administration greenlights Utah uranium mine after a record-fast 14-day review, triggering a seismic shift in U.S. energy and mineral security strategy.
At a Glance
- Velvet-Wood uranium mine in Utah approved after just 14 days of environmental review
- Project advanced under Trump’s national energy emergency order
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum calls approval essential for reducing foreign mineral dependency
- Decision marks a reversal of prior mining restrictions and red tape
- Mine supports nuclear energy, defense, and medical sectors with domestic uranium supply
Historic Fast-Track Approval
In a stunning break from bureaucratic tradition, the Trump administration has approved the Velvet-Wood uranium mine in Utah following a two-week environmental review. The move, executed by the Department of Interior, dramatically accelerates the standard approval timeline, which previously stretched years. The mine, operated by Canadian-based Anfield Energy, becomes the first major uranium project authorized under President Trump’s national energy emergency declaration.
Watch a report: Trump’s Energy Fast-Track: Uranium Mine Breakthrough.
The decision reflects a strategic pivot away from restrictive mining policies that had long limited domestic production of critical minerals. Trump’s emergency order authorized expedited approvals for energy projects deemed vital to national security, bypassing traditional regulatory delays.
Mineral Security Takes Center Stage
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum framed the approval as a milestone in reversing America’s reliance on foreign uranium. “This approval marks a turning point in how we secure America’s mineral future,” Burgum said. U.S. uranium output has plummeted in recent decades, increasing dependence on foreign imports from geopolitical rivals. Velvet-Wood’s uranium supply is expected to support the nation’s nuclear power plants, which currently generate 20% of America’s electricity, as well as essential medical isotopes and defense systems.
Officials argue that domestic control over uranium production enhances energy independence and shields the U.S. from supply chain disruptions, echoing calls for strategic autonomy in raw materials.
A New Model for Energy Permitting
The Velvet-Wood project exemplifies the administration’s broader goal to slash permitting timelines for critical resource development. “This is mineral security in action,” Burgum said, highlighting the approval as a model for upcoming projects in lithium, rare earths, and other strategic sectors. Trump officials argue that prolonged reviews have stifled American innovation and handed economic leverage to adversaries like China and Russia.
“By streamlining the review process for critical mineral projects like Velvet-Wood, we’re reducing dependence on foreign adversaries and ensuring our military, medical, and energy sectors have the resources they need to thrive,” Burgum added.
The uranium mine approval has energized pro-energy advocates who view it as a cornerstone achievement in Trump’s second-term agenda. Whether this marks the beginning of a full regulatory overhaul or faces court challenges remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the era of accelerated energy permitting has officially begun.
