Canadian uranium and vanadium developer Anfield Energy has completed its first underground blast in nearly 40 years at the historic Velvet-Wood project in Utah, marking a significant step toward restarting production at the site.

The Velvet-Wood mine, which had not seen active exploration since 1984, received a blast permit that has allowed the company to shift from surface site preparation into active underground rehabilitation. Work to date includes rehabilitating the first 700 feet of the decline, installing rock bolts and wire mesh for ground support, and setting up mine ventilation infrastructure and roadworks.

The company expects to begin dewatering the historic mine workings over the next few months.

Velvet-Wood is positioned to serve as a key feed source for Anfield's Shootaring Canyon mill in Garfield County, which the company says is one of only three licensed conventional uranium processing mills in the United States.

"The reactivation of the Velvet-Wood mine directly supports state-wide efforts to secure Utah's domestic critical minerals supply chain and advance rural economic development," said Corey Dias, chief executive officer of Anfield Energy.

Dias noted that the progress comes amid the Trump Administration's sustained focus on strengthening America's domestic nuclear fuel supply chain and critical minerals production. "Utah's recent selection as one of five state contenders for Department of Energy nuclear lifecycle campuses further underscores the state's strategic importance in advancing responsible US uranium and vanadium development," he added.