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Anfield Energy (TSX.V: AEC; NASDAQ: AEC) said this week it has completed the first underground blast at its Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium project in San Juan County, Utah, following receipt of a permit in June.
This is the first underground blast conducted at the project in nearly 40 years and represents another key milestone in the ongoing underground rehabilitation and development program, the company said.
The Velvet deposit produced about 4 million pounds of U₃O₈ (uranium oxide) between 1979 and 1984 under previous owners.
Anfield has now rehabilitated the first 700 feet of the decline. Rehabilitation work completed to date includes the installation of rock bolts and wire mesh for improved ground support, road building, mucking (removal of waste rock from the decline), surveying, and the installation of mine ventilation and utilities. This includes a primary surface ventilation fan and attendant ducting, an air compressor, air line, water line, electrical power and communication infrastructure.
Construction of the water treatment plant and installation of the dewatering pump is nearly complete, the company said, adding that it expects to begin testing and sampling of the plant within the coming weeks.
Emerging US producer
Anfield currently has over 20 uranium assets in its pipeline across the Western US. The closest to production is Velvet-Wood, which the US government had selected for fast-tracked permitting as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to boost domestic production of critical minerals.
Located about 200 miles (322 km) south of Salt Lake City, the proposed mine comprises two separate areas that together hold 4.6 million lb. of uranium oxide equivalent (eU3O8) in the measured and indicated category, plus 552,000 lb. in the inferred category. Most of the work at the mine is expected to take place underground, targeting known mineral deposits left from earlier operations.
“Completing the first underground blast at Velvet-Wood since the mid-1980s, following the receipt of our ATF blast permit in June, is a concrete step in rehabilitating the decline and moving the project toward dewatering of the historic workings,” Anfield CEO Corey Dias said in a news release.
“The water treatment plant and dewatering pump are nearly complete, which gives us a defined path to the next phase of underground development,” Dias said.
“Continued engagement from Utah state and local officials underscores support for responsible development of domestic uranium and vanadium resources. We remain focused on advancing Velvet-Wood as a key component of our hub-and-spoke strategy centered on the Shootaring Canyon Mill.”
