Utah Regulators Issue Draft Permit for Uranium Mill
The Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control released draft documents for the Shootaring Canyon Mill.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Nuclear
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State regulators have issued draft copies of a renewed radioactive materials license and groundwater discharge permit for the Shootaring Canyon Mill in Garfield County. The facility is one of only three licensed conventional uranium mills currently operating in the United States.
Why it matters
This regulatory step supports the company’s efforts to restore domestic uranium and vanadium milling capacity. The mill is intended to serve as a central hub for processing ore from multiple regional project sources.
The draft license authorizes the possession of natural uranium and 11e.(2) byproduct material with an annual production cap of 1,500 tons of yellowcake. This facility aims for a refurbishment throughput capacity of 1,000 tons per day.
The players
Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
This state regulatory body oversees the management and oversight of radioactive waste and radiation-producing equipment within Utah.
Anfield Energy
The company operates the Shootaring Canyon Mill and is focused on domestic uranium and vanadium production projects.
The details
Anfield Energy is currently managing site preparation and removing legacy equipment, including leach tanks and electrical systems, under its existing license. The site maintains a groundwater monitoring network to ensure compliance with technology standards for process ponds.
Timeline
April 5, 2024: Anfield Resources Holding Corp. submitted an application for license renewal.
October 21, 2026: The Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control provided the draft license and permit.
Late 2026: A 45-day public comment period is expected to commence.
Q2 2027: The company targets the receipt of the renewed license.
Q2 2027: Major refurbishment work is scheduled to begin.
The Big Picture
The restart of this facility marks a significant expansion in the U.S. domestic conventional uranium milling infrastructure, which currently consists of only three licensed sites. This progress shifts the domestic processing capability by restoring a central hub for regional uranium ore sources.
The renewal of this license impacts the regional economy through the restoration of industrial milling capacity in Garfield County. Future operations could influence domestic supply chains for uranium and vanadium by providing a central processing hub for ore.
The takeaway
The move by state regulators signals a path toward revitalizing dormant domestic nuclear fuel supply components. Local stakeholders and residents should prepare for the upcoming public comment phase to engage with the site's environmental and operational plans.
Further reading
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Should the United States prioritize increasing domestic capacity for processing uranium and vanadium ore?
