The U.S. depends heavily on imported uranium to power its nuclear reactors, using about 50 million pounds each year while producing less than 1% at home. Boosting domestic uranium production is crucial for energy security and reducing reliance on foreign sources. In this context, Anfield Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: AEC; TSXV: AEC) is making progress with its Velvet-Wood uranium project in San Juan County, Utah.

The Utah Department of Oil, Gas, and Mining recently approved the project for construction. This allows Anfield to move quickly toward production.

Velvet-Wood Gains Green Light for Rapid Development

In May, Anfield Energy Inc. announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior approved its Velvet-Wood uranium project in San Juan County, Utah.

This project was the first mining initiative approved under a new fast-track permitting process by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This process, introduced after President Trump’s energy emergency declaration in January 2025, lets energy projects complete environmental reviews in just 14 days.

By selecting Velvet-Wood, federal agencies highlighted its importance for the domestic uranium and vanadium supply.

Notably, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the Bureau of Land Management ensures safe and responsible extraction while protecting the environment.

With federal and state approvals in hand, Anfield plans to start mobilization immediately. The company expects to break ground within 30 days. They will:

• reopen the mine portal
• dewater the site
• build surface facilities
• develop a new mine incline.

These steps aim to bring Velvet-Wood into production quickly while keeping safety and environmental standards high.

• ALSO READ: Orano’s Bold Move: A Multi-Billion Dollar New Uranium Plant Set for Tennessee 

Anfield Boots U.S. Energy Security with Domestic Production

Anfield acquired Velvet-Wood in 2015. The mine previously produced around 4 million pounds of uranium and 5 million pounds of vanadium from 1979 to 1984.

• A preliminary economic assessment shows 4.6 million pounds of uranium at a grade of 0.29% eU3O8, plus additional inferred resources.

CEO Corey Dias said the approvals clear the way for building the mine and starting production. The company also plans to increase its reclamation bond with the Bureau of Land Management to meet federal land restoration rules.

Anfield’s project helps the U.S. reduce dependence on foreign minerals. The country imports uranium from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Vanadium supply mainly comes from China, Russia, South Africa, and Brazil.

By producing uranium and vanadium domestically, Anfield enhances energy security and supports industries such as nuclear power, aerospace, and defense.

Uranium and Vanadium: Key Strategic Materials

Uranium powers nuclear reactors, fuels U.S. Navy submarines, and helps produce medical isotopes. It is also used in tritium production for national defense. Vanadium strengthens steel and titanium alloys used in both commercial and military aircraft. Together, these minerals are vital for energy, defense, and industrial security.

EIA’s Domestic Uranium Production Report Second-Quarter 2025 highlights that in Q2 2025, the U.S. produced 437,238 pounds of uranium concentrate (U3O8), up 41% from the first quarter’s 310,533 pounds.

Production came from the following mines:

Underground Mining Keeps Environmental Impact Low

Velvet-Wood will focus on underground mining. The company will use existing mine workings and develop new mineral areas. This approach keeps surface disturbance to just three acres and makes use of the old Velvet mine site.

Anfield also owns the Shootaring Canyon mill, one of only three licensed uranium mills in the U.S. Restarting this mill will allow the company to convert uranium ore into concentrate, reduce reliance on imports, and support domestic nuclear fuel production.

Economic and Strategic Benefits

Anfield combines strong assets with efficient operations. Its hub-and-spoke model links mining sites with processing mills, maximizing the value of Velvet-Wood’s resources. With measured resources, a licensed mill, and fast government approvals, the company is ready to meet growing demand for uranium and vanadium.

The project also brings jobs to Utah and supports local communities. Restarting the Shootaring Canyon mill adds processing capacity, lowers costs, and improves efficiency.

Moving Toward a Sustainable Energy Future

Anfield focuses on sustainable growth. Its operations balance environmental responsibility with energy and defense needs. By producing domestic uranium and vanadium, the company supports a carbon-free energy future while reducing reliance on imports.

Velvet-Wood shows how companies and supportive policies can address energy and security challenges. By using old mining assets and modern techniques, Anfield aims to become a leading U.S. uranium producer. It’s fast move from permitting to production sets an example for other critical mineral projects.

• MUST READ: Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) Reports $66.8M Revenue in 2025, Expands U.S. Nuclear Supply Chain and Sustainability Goals

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2025 marks the decisive year for companies to prepare for CSRD compliance. By next year, thousands of businesses across Europe, large multinationals and SMEs alike, will need to publish detailed sustainability disclosures aligned with ESRS standards. The countdown has officially begun, and with only one reporting cycle left to strategise, getting started now is a must.

The Financial Times reported that the Pentagon plans to spend up to $1 billion on critical minerals. This move aims to cut U.S. reliance on China for essential metals in defense, clean energy, and advanced tech. Led by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), this program is the largest U.S. strategic mineral acquisition since the Cold War.

Significantly, the Pentagon’s plan is part of Trump’s broader “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA) to enhance domestic and allied resources. Under OBBA, the DLA will use a $7.5 billion allocation to:

• Expand the U.S. stockpile by 2027 ($2 billion)

• Invest in mineral and processing supply chains ($5 billion)

• Launch a Pentagon credit program to support private mining and refining projects ($500 million)

Washington’s Strategic Push: From Market Reliance to State Control

China’s control over global mineral supply chains has raised national security concerns. The country refines 80–90% of rare earths and dominates other key metals, such as cobalt and nickel.

Recent Chinese export limits on rare earths have raised concerns in the U.S. Washington views these limits as an effort to weaponize mineral exports. The Pentagon’s stockpiling shows a move from market-driven sourcing to state-led resource security.

Trump Targets China with 100% Tariffs

As per the latest news, President Trump has confirmed plans to impose 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports starting on November 1. He labeled China’s export limits a “hostile act.” He noted the timeline might change, saying, “Right now it is. Let’s see what happens.”

On Truth Social, Trump accused Beijing of manipulating supply chains and warned of “100% tariffs… over and above any tariff they are currently paying.”

This tariff announcement follows China’s decision to limit rare earth exports. These actions link industrial policy more closely to national security.

Pentagon Boosts Stockpile with High-Value Minerals

According to the Financial Times, the Pentagon’s buying spree targets four key minerals vital for defense and clean energy:

• Cobalt – Up to $500 million. Used in batteries, superalloys, and medical implants.

• Antimony – About $245 million, partly sourced from U.S. Antimony Corp. Key for flame retardants, batteries, and defense components.

• Tantalum – Around $100 million. Essential for missile systems and aerospace parts.

• Scandium – A combined $45 million, reportedly from Rio Tinto and APL Engineered Materials. Used in aerospace alloys and electronics.

These purchases will expand the U.S. national stockpile, which already holds $1.3 billion in metals. The new acquisitions focus on materials critical for weapons production, energy systems, and high-tech manufacturing.

A defense official told the FT that several Pentagon offices are now “flush with cash” for mineral procurement. The government is also exploring offshore mineral resources in the Pacific Ocean, rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese.

Alaska’s Ambler Road Project Approval

President Trump approved the long-contested Ambler Road Project in Alaska. This 211-mile corridor will connect the Dalton Highway to vast mineral deposits in the northwest.

This decision reverses a Biden-era block and is seen as a vital step toward U.S. resource independence. It opens access to copper, zinc, and rare earth elements essential for clean energy and defense manufacturing.

• ALSO READ: Lithium Americas (LAC) Stock Jumps 95% as Trump Seeks Government Equity in Nation’s Largest Lithium Mine 

Mineral Stockpiling: Shielding the Nation from Supply Shocks

The U.S. imports over 80% of its critical minerals and relies heavily on foreign refining, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This dependence exposes the country to significant supply risks, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that China controls 90% of rare earth refining and significant percentages of nickel and cobalt refining. Such dominance highlights the risk of relying on a single country for critical inputs.

Thus, to tackle these challenges, the U.S. is building a stockpile of critical minerals. This will reduce supply risks, maintain production of weapons and advanced technologies, and support domestic mining investment.

In short, this stockpile acts as strategic insurance, safeguarding industrial capabilities and boosting national security.

The U.S. aligns with a global trend in mineral stockpiling. The EU requires reserves under its Critical Raw Materials Act. India launched a National Mineral Security Strategy in 2025, while Japan maintains a months-long reserve of rare earths.

Minerals with Net Import Reliance on China

Market Impact and Industry Response

The Pentagon’s stockpiling effort has caught attention in mining and rare earth stocks. Companies like U.S. Antimony and MP Materials are gaining interest as Washington increases mineral procurement.

For example, the DLA’s plan for 3,000 tonnes of antimony—about one-eighth of U.S. annual demand—may stabilize the market for this volatile metal. Analysts expect similar effects for other targeted minerals as demand becomes clearer.

In conclusion, the Pentagon’s $1 billion mineral stockpile plan marks a clear shift. The U.S. government is no longer waiting for markets to secure resources. Instead, it is actively building reserves, funding domestic projects, and aligning economic policy with defense needs.

As competition for minerals increases, the Pentagon’s stockpiling is a defensive strategy and a clear signal. It shows that the next big race among global powers will be for critical minerals. These are vital for future technologies, not oil.

• LATEST: China’s Grip on Lithium Tightens as Global Supply Struggles to Keep Up

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