Anfield Energy has begun preparatory work at its Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah ahead of a planned production restart in 2027. The company said it has started dismantling activities at the long-idled facility, with initial work focused on removing existing leach tanks. Anfield stated the early-stage dismantling is intended to reduce reclamation liabilities while the site is prepared for major infrastructure upgrades.
The restart effort is described as part of a broader strategy to build a fully integrated uranium production platform. Anfield said domestic interest in uranium production is increasing alongside demand for nuclear energy and energy security concerns, as well as efforts to strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains.
Groundwater monitoring and radioactive materials license renewal
Construction and site work cited by Anfield builds on regulatory activity completed earlier in 2026. As part of permitting requirements, the company drilled eight additional groundwater monitoring wells in response to information requests from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ). The data collection is presented as part of the licensing process needed to return the mill to operation.
Anfield said it is now working toward obtaining the final renewal of its radioactive materials license. Management expects to secure the renewal before the end of the year, which it described as a key regulatory milestone for restarting one of the few licensed uranium milling facilities in the United States.
Engineering design for processing circuit expansion
Alongside permitting, Anfield has advanced engineering work aimed at modernizing the mill. The company contracted PSE Engineering to design upgrades intended to expand the processing circuit. Anfield said the upgrade program is designed to support throughput capacity of approximately 1,000 tons of ore per day.
The modernization plan is expected to position Shootaring Canyon as a processing hub that can handle uranium feed from multiple mining operations in the region. Anfield said the upgraded infrastructure would support participation in the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain.
Shootaring Canyon’s operating history and acquisition
The Shootaring Canyon mill was originally constructed in 1980 and entered production only briefly before being shut down due to market conditions. Anfield said the facility operated for about six months in 1982, producing 27,825 pounds of uranium concentrate before continued operations became uneconomic amid falling uranium prices.
The site remained dormant for more than four decades as weak pricing and limited investment persisted across the uranium sector. Anfield acquired the asset from Uranium One in 2015, later identifying it as a cornerstone of its long-term development strategy.
Centralized processing approach for regional uranium projects
Anfield said Shootaring Canyon is expected to function as a central processing facility for its growing portfolio of uranium assets. Rather than building standalone processing infrastructure at individual mining sites, the company plans to transport ore from multiple satellite operations to the mill for processing.
The company described this centralized approach as reducing capital expenditures and improving operational efficiency by leveraging existing infrastructure. It also said that as additional projects move toward production, the mill could become increasingly important within its broader development strategy.
Velvet-Wood project construction and feed potential
While work continues at Shootaring Canyon, Anfield is also advancing its Velvet-Wood uranium-vanadium project in Utah. The company announced earlier this month that phase-one surface construction activities were completed at the fully owned project.
Anfield said Velvet-Wood became the first U.S. uranium project to receive a government fast-track designation. The project has entered a second development phase expected to last approximately six months, and Anfield expects it to become a key source of feed material for Shootaring Canyon once operational.
Restart timeline linked to domestic demand and fuel-cycle bottlenecks
Anfield’s development schedule aligns with a resurgence in global uranium activity driven by rising electricity demand, increased investment in nuclear power, and supply chain security concerns across North America. The company said the United States remains heavily dependent on imported uranium despite having substantial domestic resources.
The company also highlighted that milling capacity can be a limiting factor within the nuclear fuel cycle because licensed processing infrastructure is required even when deposits are available. By restoring Shootaring Canyon, Anfield said it would add domestic processing capacity while demand for uranium and nuclear fuel services strengthens.
Status update toward 2027 production objective
Anfield management stated that regulatory progress, engineering work, and ongoing project development place it on track for its 2027 production objective. The company said it has received a positive completeness review from Utah regulators and that site preparation activities are underway.
If development continues according to plan, Anfield expects Shootaring Canyon to be among the next U.S. uranium processing facilities to return to operation. The company said such an outcome would support domestic energy security and align with growing global demand for nuclear power.
