Tag: environment

⚛️ “The Million-Fold Blindspot: Why Uranium’s True Value Could Reshape the Global Economy”

November 20th, 2025
Prologue: A Question I Couldn’t Shake Loose

Every so often, a question settles into the back of a geologist’s mind like a pebble in a boot.
No matter how far you walk, you feel it.

For me, that pebble was this:

If one pound of uranium holds roughly three million times more energy than a pound of coal…
why do they trade at the same order of magnitude in price?

Why is uranium an $80/lb commodity when, energetically, it behaves like bottled lightning?

I expected the answer to be complicated.
The truth was deeper — and far more astonishing — than I imagined.

This essay is the story of following that question all the way down to the bedrock…
and discovering a fault line in the global economy waiting to slip.

I. Uranium vs. Coal: A Tale of Two Fuels

Let’s start with the raw physics — no jargon, no reactor-speak, just simple energy content.

Coal:

About 10,000 BTU per pound.

Uranium (real-world reactor fuel):

About 1.6 billion BTU per pound.

Uranium (full-U235 fission theoretical):

About 37 billion BTU per pound.

To keep the math anchored:

👉 1 pound of uranium ≈ 3,000,000 pounds of coal
👉 or roughly 1,500 short tons

This is not a rounding error.
It is the largest energy-density spread in the history of civilization.

Yet…

Coal trades at $50–$100 per ton.
Uranium trades at ~$80 per pound.

The more I turned the numbers over, the more absurd the comparison became.

II. The First Shock: Uranium’s “Heat Parity” Price Isn’t $100 — It’s Thousands

To calculate uranium’s “true value,” let’s ask a simple, childlike question:

“If you priced uranium the same way you price coal — purely by heat content — what would it be worth?”

Answer:
- In today’s reactors, uranium should be worth $3,000–$8,000 per pound.
- In theoretical full-fission terms, it reaches $100,000–$500,000 per pound.
Those are not typos.
Those aren’t dreams.
Those are physics.

So how on Earth is uranium $80/lb?

Because markets don’t trade physics — they trade logistics, regulation, and psychology.

That realization led me to the second, even deeper shock.

III. The Second Shock: Even at $300–$1,000/lb, Nuclear Power Costs Stay Flat

This was the moment the ground shifted under my feet.

You can triple or quadruple the price of uranium…

…and the cost of nuclear electricity barely moves.

Why?

Because nuclear plants use so little fuel.

A single fuel pellet the size of your fingertip holds the same energy as a ton of coal.
A single pound of uranium powers thousands of homes for a year.
Fuel is a tiny slice of a reactor’s operating cost.

Raising uranium from $80 to $300 or even $1,000 moves the needle only from ½ cent per kWh to maybe 2 cents per kWh in fuel cost.

Let that sink in:

Nuclear energy is so potent that even a 10× or 20× rise in uranium price barely budges the electric bill.

This is not just an economic curiosity — it is a macroeconomic revelation.

IV. The Third Shock: A World Built on Cheap Nuclear Energy Floats, Not Sinks

If uranium rises to its real value — $300 fuel-parity or even $3,000 physics-parity — something extraordinary happens:

Energy becomes inexpensive, predictable, and abundant.

Imagine:
- No volatility from gas pipelines.
- No coal supply crunches.
- No weather-dependent intermittency.
- No geopolitical chokeholds.
- No fragile grids.
- No spiraling power costs.
Nuclear offers:
- Ultra-cheap fuel
- Ultra-long asset life
- Ultra-stable output
When energy becomes cheap and constant, everything else in the economy becomes lighter:
- Manufacturing costs drop
- Mining costs drop
- Transportation costs drop
- Food production costs drop
- Inflation pressure eases
- Economic growth accelerates
It is the closest thing to a “cheat code” for civilization we have ever found.

Sometimes you have to read the tea leaves to see the deeper reality:
Cheap uranium → cheap nuclear → cheap everything.

This isn’t geology anymore — this is political economy.

V. And Here’s the Punchline: The Mining World Isn’t Ready

This is where my geologist’s boots hit the dirt.

Because if uranium is this undervalued…
if its true energy value is in the thousands per pound…
if the world is going nuclear out of necessity…
then we are standing on the threshold of a mining revolution.

At $300/lb:

Roll-fronts once considered “marginal” become prime targets.

At $500–$1,000/lb:

Low-grade sandstone horizons become company-makers.
Old ISR fields get second and third lives.

At $1,000–$3,000/lb:

Lignites, shales, metasomatic systems, and granites — today written off as waste — become the Athabasca Basins of 2075.

What we call “low grade” today will be considered “bonanza” tomorrow.

We are in the early-early-early oil age of uranium.
Rockefeller-level early.
“Horse-drawn rigs in Pennsylvania” early.

The only reason the world isn’t acting like it is early?
Because we are pricing uranium as if it is coal.

And it is not coal.
It is energy compressed into a mineral soul.

VI. The New Frontier: Energy Abundance and Geologic Renaissance

What happens when:
- reactors get smaller
- regulations get smarter
- fuel cycles get closed
- enrichment expands
- nations seek energy independence
- grids bend under AI and electrification…
…and uranium prices finally catch up?

A renaissance.

A rebirth.

A new era where exploration geologists walk onto projects long dismissed as “uneconomic” — and suddenly see opportunity glowing like desert varnish at sunset.

We will re-drill old deposits.
We will re-map old roll fronts.
We will re-model old sandstone basins.
We will re-evaluate “waste” with wiser eyes.

Because the future doesn’t belong to high-grade deposits.

The future belongs to scale.

VII. Conclusion: The Rock Is Mighty — The Market Just Forgot

Uranium is not an $80 commodity pretending to be a fuel.

It is a world-changing energy metal priced as if it were an afterthought.

Physics says it should be thousands per pound.
Economics says it can easily support hundreds per pound.
Civilization says we desperately need it.
Geology says we are barely scratching the surface.

And the exploration frontier — the one that I and many others walk every day — is on the cusp of rediscovery.

The rock is mighty.

The world just hasn’t remembered it yet.

But it will.

And when it does, the next century of energy, mining, geopolitics, and human flourishing may well be written in the quiet glow of uranium’s still-untapped power.
JPMorgan’s $1.5 Trillion Pivot and the Great Re-Rooting of Industry

October 15th, 2025
By Mark W. Travis, CPG | Arkenstone Exploration

I. The Echo of a Vision

Sometimes the mountain answers.

For years, many of us in exploration, energy, and policy circles have been voicing the same refrain:

America must rediscover its backbone — the one forged in ore and energy, refined by industry, and animated by purpose.

We’ve written about it, spoken at conferences, and fought uphill battles in permitting offices.
Now, a trillion and a half dollars later, that whisper from the pit, the drill pad, and the assay lab has finally reached the marble halls of finance.

JPMorgan Chase’s new “Security & Resiliency Initiative” — a $1.5 trillion investment framework — reads like a checklist of every structural challenge we’ve named:
- Supply chains fractured by foreign dependence
- Permitting regimes tangled in red tape
- Hollowed-out refining and manufacturing capacity
- A cultural hesitation to act upon the Earth — to build, dig, and dare
And suddenly, the world’s largest bank says: We hear you.

II. From Policy Paralysis to Purposeful Action

This isn’t a boutique green fund or a PR stunt. It’s a re-industrialization mandate that explicitly includes:
- Critical-mineral exploration and refining
- Nuclear energy, solar power, and grid resilience
- Advanced manufacturing and AI-enabled infrastructure
- Policy advocacy to streamline permitting and remove regulatory friction
That last point stopped me cold.
A global financial titan committing to advocate for permitting reform? That’s a tectonic shift.

For decades, investors have been content to fund consumption rather than creation.
Now we’re seeing a return to first principles — to the idea that progress and stewardship can walk the same path.
That responsible use of Earth’s materials is not desecration but devotion.

III. The Nuclear Note in the New Energy Symphony

Look closer and you’ll find nuclear listed among JPMorgan’s 27 “sub-areas of strategic investment.”
This is no longer fringe. The same financiers that once fled uranium are now calling it resilient infrastructure.

As data centers bloom across the prairie and AI’s appetite for electrons deepens, the need for firm, clean, constant power grows existential.
The atom — long maligned, long patient — is returning to the spotlight.
And with it, the miners, geologists, and innovators who never stopped believing that the future still runs on fuel from the rocks beneath us.

IV. Refining the Future

JPMorgan’s plan isn’t just about what comes out of the ground — it’s about what we can build above it.

From copper smelters to rare-earth separation plants, from battery-metal recycling to magnet manufacturing, the initiative recognizes what explorers have always known: a resource has no power until it’s refined.

That’s not just metallurgy — that’s civilization in miniature.
The same alchemy that turns rock into revenue also turns vision into reality.

V. The Political Ground Shifts

Equally seismic is the policy stance:

“The firm will advocate for research, development, permitting, procurement, and regulations conducive to growth.”

In other words: they’re joining the lobby to fix what’s broken.
When Wall Street’s largest player begins echoing the same frustrations voiced by field geologists, operators, and regional coalitions, the ground has truly moved.

This could be the moment when private capital and public policy finally align — when we stop apologizing for production and start enabling it.

VI. A Renewal of Faith in Making

There’s a deeper current running through all this.
For too long, the national conversation has treated use as something shameful — as if to touch the Earth is to harm it.
But creation has always required contact.

Our machines, our reactors, our refineries — these are the hands of a species still learning how to shape wisely.
To use with restraint. To build with reverence.
That’s not exploitation — that’s participation in something vast, beautiful, and ongoing.

This new initiative, if it holds course, could mark the dawn of a renewed covenant between humanity and its home planet — one built on trust, purpose, and shared prosperity.

VII. The Road Ahead

There’s plenty left to prove.
Capital can move mountains — or drown them in paperwork.
But for now, this feels like the beginning of something worthy.

The miners, metallurgists, and mappers have always been the first to sense a change in the strata.
And this feels like a fresh layer being laid down — one built of courage, collaboration, and the will to act.

Maybe the Earth has been whispering all along,
and at last, the world’s largest bank stopped to listen.

“The age of apology must end. The age of awareness must begin.”
When the Market Listens: Apple, the Pentagon, and the Rise of American Rare Earths

July 16th, 2025

Sometimes, the invisible hand of the market needs a little nudge. Other times, it needs the full force of the Pentagon’s wallet—and apparently, that’s all it takes to wake the giants.

Just one week after MP Materials landed a $400 million deal with the U.S. Department of Defense, tech behemoth Apple swooped in with a stunning $500 million commitment to secure domestically sourced rare earth magnets. That’s not just validation—that’s velocity.

Together, these two powerhouse deals sent MP stock surging to all-time highs, but more importantly, they sent a thunderous signal to industry: this is where the future is being built.

Pentagon First, Apple Fast Follows

The sequence is telling.

The DoD’s investment was more than a show of support—it was a strategic move to anchor domestic supply chains for critical defense technologies, from fighter jets to satellites. It gave MP Materials the capital and credibility to move forward with large-scale production and magnet manufacturing out of Fort Worth, Texas and Mountain Pass, California.

Enter Apple. With an eye toward vertical integration and supply chain resilience, Apple’s deal includes co-developing neodymium magnet lines for its products, launching a rare earth recycling initiative, and helping fund the R&D needed to improve magnet performance—using U.S. materials, refined and manufactured on U.S. soil.

For a company that famously said “Designed in California,” this is now about “Sourced in America,” too.

What This Means for Exploration

Deals like this don’t just move markets—they reshape exploration narratives.

While Apple and MP Materials are focusing their initial efforts on established facilities, the next logical step is new discovery and development. And that brings us to the Bear Lodge carbonatite complex in northeast Wyoming—an underappreciated, world-class REE deposit in one of the most mining-friendly states in the U.S.

Long known by geologists and quietly held in industry circles, Bear Lodge has sat in a state of limbo due to market pricing, lack of offtake agreements, and, frankly, a lack of momentum. That changes now.

As capital floods into domestic rare earth supply chains, Bear Lodge looks like a near-term winner—especially with permitting pathways and community sentiment in Wyoming often far more supportive than coastal counterparts. Expect renewed attention, joint ventures, and perhaps a long-awaited move into production-ready territory.

And don’t sleep on Nevada. While known for lithium and gold, the state harbors critical mineral potential across a range of underexplored terrains—from bastnaesite showings to overlooked thorium-rich systems that could offer the same kind of radiometric pathfinding used at Mountain Pass.

The New ESG: Exploration, Sovereignty, and Guidance

It’s tempting to view these deals through a traditional ESG lens—jobs created, emissions reduced, supply chains localized. And that’s all true. But this isn’t your father’s ESG report.

This is ESG 2.0, where Exploration is prioritized, Sovereignty is defended, and Government plays a guiding hand—not by overregulating, but by strategically investing to de-risk the private sector’s next move.

Apple didn’t just show up with a half-billion dollars out of pure idealism. They responded to a roadmap set by the federal government. The Pentagon pointed, and Apple followed—not blindly, but confidently. This is what good governance looks like: coaxing industry in the right direction by reducing risk and increasing reward.

That’s not just smart policy. That’s nation-building—from the periodic table up.

Final Thoughts

In the wake of these historic deals, one thing is clear: the age of foreign rare earth dominance is over. America is not just responding—it’s repositioning.

Exploration geologists, developers, and entrepreneurs—take note. Whether you’re sampling carbonatite in Wyoming or chasing radiometric highs in Nevada, the tide has shifted. The question is no longer if domestic supply chains will grow, but where you want to stand when they do.

Now is the time to stake, explore, invest, and build—because the future of tech is being built from the bedrock up.
Cobalt’s Crossroads: How Crisis Became Catalyst for a New Mining Era

June 23rd, 2025
By Mark Travis, CPG | June 23, 2025
President, Arkenstone Exploration

“In every supply chain lies a seam. And when pressure builds, the whole system can slip.”

In March, the cobalt market trembled.
In June, it roared.

What began as a localized export ban in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—the world’s undisputed cobalt kingpin—has now widened into a seven-month disruption with no clear end in sight. Prices have surged. IPOs have crumbled. Investors are watching from the edge of their seats. And somewhere in the hills of Idaho, Alaska, or northern Quebec… a junior explorer is unrolling a map and whispering: Now is the time.

Let’s step back and trace the arc—from instability to opportunity—and explore what it means for the U.S., for the mining sector, and for the future of secure, ethical critical minerals.

Part I: March Madness – When the Ban First Dropped

The story began in February 2025, when the DRC suspended cobalt concentrate exports. Officials cited oversupply and weak EV demand as justification—though insiders speculated on broader motivations, from domestic processing ambitions to geopolitical posturing.

By mid-March, chaos was rippling through the global cobalt chain:
- Eurasian Resources Group declared force majeure at Metalkol.
- Cobalt prices hit $12.25/lb in Europe, climbing nearly 12% in China.
- Analysts buzzed about “structural fragility” in a market too dependent on one country’s copper byproduct stream.
I wrote then that this disruption was a “wake-up call” for domestic mining, a rare window where investors, policymakers, and industry leaders might finally align around the urgent need for U.S.-based production.

Part II: June Reverb – The Shock That Keeps On Shaking

Now, the DRC has extended the ban by another three months—pushing the total supply interruption to over half a year, and pulling an estimated 100,000 tonnes of cobalt off the global market.

The price reaction was swift and sharp:
- Cobalt futures on China’s Wuxi Exchange surged 9% overnight to $35.34/kg.
- Cobalt sulphate—critical to EV battery cathodes—has rebounded 80% from January lows.
- Glencore, the world’s #2 cobalt producer, followed ERG in declaring force majeure.
- Cobalt Holdings scrapped its anticipated $230M London IPO, spooked by instability.
While CMOC claims its Congo-based operations remain steady, the market at large is anything but.

Behind the headlines, a deeper current is pulling: the realization that this isn’t a one-time hiccup—it’s a systemic vulnerability. One that threatens the clean energy transition at its roots.

Part III: The U.S. Response – Still Waiting for the Drill to Turn

So here’s the paradox.

We know the problem: too much cobalt comes from too few jurisdictions.
We know the stakes: EVs, grid storage, military tech, even aerospace all need cobalt.
And we know the solution: develop domestic resources.

Yet exploration companies still face:
- Multi-year permitting timelines
- Inconsistent federal support
- Lack of processing capacity
- Skeptical capital markets burned by previous busts
The opportunity is clear, but the runway is short. If the U.S. wants to seize this moment, we need policy shifts, capital infusions, and a cultural reawakening that mining matters.

Part IV: From Fragility to Fortitude – What Comes Next

The cobalt crisis of 2025 is more than a spike in futures charts. It’s a stress test of global supply chains, and a preview of coming attractions for lithium, rare earths, and beyond.

This is the inflection point where:
- Domestic juniors can shine with the right support and strategy
- Investors can reposition toward hard assets with real leverage
- Governments can double down on permitting reform and resilient infrastructure
Cobalt is the canary—but it’s singing a warning in a mine shaft lined with copper, nickel, lithium, and rare earths.

Final Thoughts: The Claim is Staked—Will We Act?

As a geologist, I’ve seen firsthand how resource trends bend history.
As a project manager, I’ve wrestled with the real costs of getting a mine off the ground.
And as someone who believes in the long arc of human progress, I see cobalt not as a crisis, but a catalyst.

A catalyst to return to the rock, to the root, to the real work of supplying a world in transition.

Let’s not miss this window. Let’s dig deeper—literally and figuratively—into our own potential.

Mark Travis is a Certified Professional Geologist and President of Arkenstone Exploration. He believes in building resource resilience from the ground up, and writes frequently on the intersection of exploration, policy, and the human spirit.
Oak Flat, Copper Dreams, and the Long Road to Resolution

May 27th, 2025
By Mark Travis | May 27, 2025

“If mining is the front end of every supply chain, then permitting is the front end of every bottleneck.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has just handed down a decision that echoes through copper country like a rock hammer in a silent drift: they won’t hear Apache Stronghold’s final appeal to halt the Resolution Copper project in Arizona. That means, after decades of debate, delay, and deep division, the project may finally break free of its legal chains.

But before we pop the champagne—or grab the pickaxe—it’s worth pausing to ask: why did it take nearly 20 years to reach this point? And what does this drawn-out saga say about the future of domestic mining in the United States?

A Copper Giant, Chained by Red Tape

The Resolution Copper deposit is no minor prize. Tucked deep beneath Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, the mine holds what’s believed to be the third-largest copper deposit on Earth. If brought online, it could supply 25% of U.S. copper demand for decades—a critical win in a world marching headlong into electrification, AI hardware, EVs, and renewable energy.

Yet since the early 2000s, this project has been stuck in slow-motion—a labyrinth of environmental reviews, legislative wrangling, tribal legal challenges, and shifting political tides.

Yes, mining must be done responsibly. Yes, communities deserve a voice. But what we’ve witnessed here is something else entirely: a cautionary tale of policy paralysis and bureaucratic stagnation.

Oak Flat: Sacred Ground, or Stalled Progress?

At the center of the controversy is Oak Flat, known to the Western Apache as Chi’chil Biłdagoteel. It’s sacred land. And that’s not metaphorical—Apache Stronghold has argued passionately and consistently that mining operations would obliterate a ceremonial site tied to generations of cultural and spiritual practice.

Their legal case, filed in 2021, invoked religious freedom and treaty rights, even citing an 1852 federal agreement promising protection and prosperity to Apache lands. Lower courts sided with the government, citing Congress’s 2014 defense spending bill, which included a provision for the land swap that enabled the project. That bill—quietly signed by President Obama—was the bureaucratic key that opened the door for mining.

But the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case signals the end of the legal line. With that, the mine’s developers—Rio Tinto and BHP—can move forward. The U.S. Forest Service is expected to reissue the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as soon as June 16.

$2 Billion Invested. Zero Pounds of Copper Mined.

It’s worth stating plainly: over $2 billion has already been sunk into Resolution Copper, and not a single pound has made it to market. Let that sink in.

For perspective, that’s enough to build three medium-sized uranium mills, fund 100 junior exploration programs, or pay for an entire domestic supply chain initiative. Instead, it’s just the cost of waiting.

In a world where China streamlines mining permits in months, and resource-rich nations in Africa are fast becoming the new frontiers for copper giants, the U.S. cannot afford 20-year approval cycles.

If we want energy security, technological independence, and real momentum toward a low-carbon economy, we need permitting reform that preserves environmental and cultural values without stalling progress into geological purgatory.

The Bigger Picture: America’s Mineral Awakening

Resolution is just one battle in a much larger resource war. The U.S. needs copper, uranium, lithium, REEs, and graphite—not just to decarbonize but to defend, to manufacture, to compete. And yet, we’ve allowed a thousand roadblocks to rise: overlapping jurisdictions, lawsuits without end, missing timelines, and agencies afraid to make a decision.

Rio Tinto knows this. That’s why they’ve hedged their bets: expanding into Peru with La Granja, going full-speed underground in Mongolia with Oyu Tolgoi, and investing in next-gen leaching tech like Nuton to squeeze copper from the margins.

If America wants to be a leader in this new mineral age, it must not just produce—it must permit. Not recklessly, but responsibly and resolutely.

Let’s Talk:
- What lessons can we take from Resolution Copper’s permitting saga?
- Should sacred lands be permanently protected from development, even when national resource needs are at stake?
- What would a just, streamlined permitting process actually look like in the U.S.?
- Is the real battle over minerals—or over who gets to decide?
Let’s open the floor. The future is underground—but we’ve got to start digging smarter.
Uranium’s Renaissance: Anfield’s Velvet-Wood Approval Signals a New Era for U.S. Energy Independence

May 25th, 2025

In a move that feels like the opening scene of a modern-day energy epic, the U.S. Department of the Interior has granted a swift green light to Anfield Energy’s Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium project in Utah. This isn’t just another mining approval; it’s the first to benefit from a newly implemented 14-day environmental review process, a stark contrast to the years such assessments typically consume.

Why does this matter? Because it’s not just about one mine; it’s about setting a precedent. This expedited approval could be the catalyst that reignites domestic exploration and production of critical minerals, particularly uranium—a resource that’s poised to become the linchpin of our energy future.

The Velvet-Wood Project: A Glimpse into the Future

Anfield Energy’s Velvet-Wood project isn’t starting from scratch. It’s a revival of the historic Velvet mine, coupled with the development of the nearby Wood deposit. Together, they boast an estimated 4.6 million pounds of uranium oxide equivalent (eU₃O₈) in measured and indicated resources, with an additional 552,000 pounds in inferred resources. The vanadium-to-uranium ratio stands at an impressive 1.4:1, adding another layer of value to the operation.

But the real game-changer? The plan to reopen the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill, one of only three licensed, permitted, and constructed uranium mills in the U.S. This facility will process the ore into uranium concentrate, reducing our reliance on imports—a staggering 99% of the uranium used by U.S. nuclear power plants in 2023 came from countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

A New Frontier for Exploration

This fast-track approval doesn’t just benefit Anfield; it sends a clear signal to the entire industry. The message? The U.S. is serious about securing its mineral future. For geologists, explorers, and investors, this is a clarion call to action. The regulatory landscape is shifting, and with it, the opportunities for domestic exploration are expanding.

Imagine the untapped potential in regions like the Colorado Plateau or the Wyoming Basins. With streamlined permitting processes, these areas could see a surge in exploration activities, leading to new discoveries and a revitalized domestic mining sector.

Investing in Uranium: The Next Oil Boom?

Drawing parallels between uranium today and oil in the early 20th century isn’t just poetic—it’s prophetic. Back then, early investors in oil companies reaped astronomical returns as the world transitioned to petroleum-based energy. Today, as we pivot towards low-carbon and nuclear energy solutions, uranium stands at the cusp of a similar boom.

Consider this: the global oil and gas market recorded revenues of $5.95 trillion in 2024 . The U.S. oil and gas sector alone is valued at over $1.5 trillion. If uranium follows a similar trajectory, early investors could see returns that mirror those historic oil booms.

The Bigger Picture: Energy Security and Sustainability

Beyond the financial incentives, there’s a broader narrative at play. Fast-tracking projects like Velvet-Wood aligns with national interests—reducing dependence on foreign adversaries, bolstering energy security, and promoting sustainable, low-carbon energy sources.

As we navigate the complexities of the 21st-century energy landscape, uranium offers a bridge between our current fossil-fuel dependence and a future powered by clean, reliable nuclear energy.

In Conclusion

Anfield Energy’s Velvet-Wood project isn’t just a mining operation; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when policy, industry, and innovation converge. For those with the foresight to see the writing on the wall, the uranium sector offers not just a lucrative investment opportunity but a chance to be part of a transformative chapter in America’s energy story.
Fast-Tracking the Future: Velvet-Wood, Uranium, and the Return of American Energy Ambition

May 13th, 2025
On May 12, the U.S. Interior Department lit a fire under the energy world—one that burns not with coal or gas, but with uranium ore pulled straight from the red rocks of Utah.

In a move that sent shockwaves through the permitting world, the Interior announced it would complete an environmental review in just 14 days for Anfield Energy’s proposed Velvet-Wood uranium mine in San Juan County, Utah. That’s not a typo. Fourteen days. In an industry where these reviews can drag on for years, this announcement feels less like bureaucracy and more like a booster rocket.

And make no mistake—this isn’t just about one mine. It’s a signal flare for the future of domestic uranium production, critical mineral independence, and energy policy with teeth.

💥 Why Velvet-Wood Matters

The Velvet-Wood project isn’t a greenfield pipe dream—it’s a revitalization of a historic uranium mine, meaning the land has already borne the mark of mining. The new plan calls for only three acres of new surface disturbance, which dramatically lowers environmental impact and, therefore, regulatory friction.

Located in the uranium-rich Paradox Basin, this area has long been known to geologists and explorers alike as a buried treasure chest of critical mineral potential. Alongside uranium, vanadium—a metal essential for high-strength steel and emerging battery technologies—adds even more shine to the project’s portfolio.

But perhaps more important than what’s in the rock is what this rock means for the bigger picture.

🏛️ Permitting as Policy: The New Frontier

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum didn’t mince words: “America is facing an alarming energy emergency because of the prior administration’s climate extremist policies.” That’s political, yes—but also strategic. The Trump Administration’s approach is to slash permitting timelines, revive idle projects, and reassert control over the domestic supply chain—especially for critical and strategic materials like uranium.

If you’re a project generator, explorer, investor, or energy hawk—this should catch your attention.

Because the days of hand-wringing and “maybe someday” permitting are being traded in, at least for now, for a leaner, faster model aimed at energy security and market readiness.

🔁 The Mill is the Missing Link—And Anfield Has One

Anfield’s Shootaring Canyon Mill—one of only a handful of uranium mills in the U.S.—is a key asset in this story. The ability to process ore into uranium concentrate (aka yellowcake) domestically is a massive differentiator, particularly as utilities, governments, and investors eye cleaner, sovereign nuclear supply chains.

This is how exploration transitions into production, and how critical minerals policy meets infrastructure reality.

📈 Investment Implications: The Tide is Turning

The broader uranium market has already been heating up, with spot prices climbing, utilities re-entering the term market, and geopolitical risk pulling the curtain back on our dependence on Russia and its allies for enriched fuel.

But this latest announcement adds a new layer of confidence for investors looking for exposure to U.S. projects:
- Speed to production matters, and fast-tracked permits are a game-changer.
- Existing infrastructure, like mills and roads, cut both time and cost.
- Uranium and vanadium dual-resource projects are diversifying risk and revenue streams.
And it’s not just about majors. This is also a huge signal to junior explorers and those of us involved in the early-stage project pipeline: the window is open—but it won’t be forever. Those with prospective land positions, smart partnerships, and permitting-ready plans could find themselves very well-positioned.

🧭 Final Thoughts: Exploration as the First Step to Sovereignty

Projects like Velvet-Wood are just the tip of the spear. The real engine of American energy independence is still exploration—boots on the ground, drills in the core, and maps on the dash of dusty trucks headed out past the last gas station.

As a geologist and exploration advocate, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: mining starts here. With a rock hammer and a vision.

If you’re in this space—stay nimble, stay sharp, and stay ahead of the curve. Permitting may be speeding up, but only those prepared to act quickly will capitalize on this moment.

The rocks are talking. And now, finally, so is Washington.
The Real ESG: Exploration, Stakeholders, and Geologists

April 30th, 2025
Where mining’s biggest buzzword meets its most overlooked foundation

ESG Starts at the Outcrop

Somewhere beyond the last graded road, a geologist shoulders their pack, boots grinding against fractured tuff, eyes tracing mineralized trends across the outcrop.

They’re not just following a drill target. They’re carrying the weight of a term that’s reshaping mining—ESG.

But here’s the reality: when most people hear “ESG,” they picture corporate reports, shareholder meetings, and polished sustainability disclosures. What they don’t see? The person logging core in an unheated shed, shaking hands at the local diner before an Environmental Impact Statement is ever drafted.

That’s us. Exploration geologists.
And it’s time we talk about ESG where it really begins.

E is for Exploration (and Environment)

Exploration might have the lightest footprint in the mining lifecycle, but it’s still the first handshake between industry and landscape. And in an era where scrutiny moves faster than drill rigs, first impressions matter.

Modern geologists aren’t swinging pickaxes blindly. We’re integrating:
- Drones to map terrain without cutting trails
- Portable XRF analyzers to reduce waste in geochemical sampling
- GIS-integrated apps that log digital footprints instead of physical ones
In high-regulation jurisdictions like Nevada and Saskatchewan, exploration teams conduct wildlife surveys, navigate seasonal migrations, and backfill trenches before assays even arrive. In Western Australia, drill programs now include indigenous monitors and cultural heritage agreements—an evolution decades in the making.

Yes, exploration still comes with dust, diesel, and impact. But increasingly, responsibility is the standard, not an afterthought.

S is for Stakeholders (and Storytelling)

Stakeholder engagement doesn’t begin with corporate affairs—it starts when a geologist’s pickup rolls into town.

We are the first face of the industry, answering questions like:
- “Will this ruin my well water?”
- “Is this going to bring jobs to the community?”
- “Are you just another junior speculator passing through?”
And we answer with maps, honesty, and story.

Take northern Nevada in 2023: a lithium project stalled not because of permitting hurdles, but local mistrust. The exploration team hadn’t engaged early, leaving space for opposition to fill the gap. Meanwhile, explorers like First Quantum and Orla Mining invest in relationship-building from day one—and when development ramps up, their projects move forward, not sideways.

Exploration geologists aren’t just reading rock formations. We read the room.

G is for Ground Truth (and Governance)

Exploration governance isn’t about shareholder votes. It’s about:
- Respecting land boundaries and indigenous access agreements
- Maintaining clean data and transparent geological logs
- Following every state, federal, and tribal permitting protocol—even when it slows you down
Weak governance at the early stage can sink an entire project.

Case in point: in 2022, a Canadian junior lost its lithium claims in the U.S.—not due to geology, but sloppy BLM filings and failure to engage with surface owners. By contrast, junior explorers in Arizona and Wyoming who partner with ranchers and tribal groups now hold stronger legal and social licenses than better-financed competitors.

A well-run exploration program isn’t just technical success—it’s a proof of competency, ethics, and long-term viability.

ESG as an Investment Filter: The Upstream Signals

Investors focused on ESG tend to fixate on production-stage mining. But savvy investors know where to look earlier.

Exploration practices—community engagement, transparency, permitting rigor—are early indicators of:
- Management maturity
- Project viability
- Legal durability
- Exit/acquisition potential
If an explorer is disorganized at the claim-staking phase, expect chaos at feasibility study stage. Conversely, juniors that log responsibly, hire locally, and engage proactively tend to attract the right attention—from majors, financiers, and governments alike.

Conclusion: We Are the Stewards Before the Shovels

ESG in mining doesn’t begin with production—it begins at the first stake in the ground, the first handshake, the first core logged.

It begins with us.

We stand at the frontlines of both discovery and stewardship, carrying not just science, but responsibility.

So next time ESG enters the conversation on mining, let’s remind people:
“Mining doesn’t start with ESG. Exploration does.”
Cobalt, copper added to China’s state metal reserves: How it impacts U.S. markets & mining

March 24th, 2025
China’s Strategic Metal Reserves Expansion

China’s decision to bolster its strategic reserves of critical industrial metals, including cobalt, copper, nickel, and lithium, reflects its focus on securing mineral supply chains amidst rising energy-transition demands and geopolitical tensions. The National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration has been actively seeking to purchase these metals, as highlighted in the National Development & Reform Commission’s (NDRC) annual report. This move aims to stabilize prices, balance supplies, and ensure resilience during supply crunches. However, details regarding the timing and quantities of these stockpiles remain confidential.

Market Impacts
- Copper Prices: Copper on the London Metal Exchange recently surged past $10,000 per ton, marking its highest level since October. On New York’s Comex, prices neared record highs before slightly declining.
- Cobalt Trends: Cobalt prices have soared this month, driven by an export moratorium from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world’s largest producer.
Implications for U.S. Domestic Mining

China’s strategic stockpiling underscores the urgency for the U.S. to reduce its reliance on foreign mineral imports. The Trump administration’s recent executive order to boost domestic mineral production aligns with this goal. The order invokes the Defense Production Act to expedite permitting, provide financing, and prioritize mineral production on federal lands.

Key Measures
- Streamlined Permitting: Federal agencies are directed to fast-track approvals for mineral production projects.
- Defense Production Act: This act is being utilized to expand domestic capacity for critical minerals, including uranium, copper, and rare earth elements.
- Private Sector Collaboration: The administration is working with private companies to ensure a stable and resilient domestic supply chain.
Challenges and Opportunities
- The U.S. currently imports 70% of its rare earth elements from China, posing significant economic and security risks.
- Domestic mining projects, such as Alaska Energy Metals’ Nikolai Nickel Project, stand to benefit from increased government support and funding.
Exploration Potential Within the USA

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been prompted to update its critical mineral list to include uranium and other lucrative minerals for the energy transition and for the use in nuclear power. This highlights the broader exploration potential for critical minerals across the country.

Promising Regions
- Great Basin Region: Includes Nevada, Idaho, and surrounding states.
- Four Corners States: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
- Other Mineral Districts: Alaska, Wyoming, areas within East & West coasts, and historic mining regions throughout U.S..
Strategic Importance
- These findings could diversify the U.S. energy portfolio and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
- Exploration efforts are likely to focus on regions with high prospectivity for critical minerals and clean energy resources.
Investment Opportunities in the U.S. Mining Sector

The Trump administration’s push to onshore mineral production has created a favorable investment climate for the U.S. mining sector. This includes opportunities in both major mining companies and junior exploration firms.

Key Investment Areas
- Critical Minerals: Increased demand for metals like uranium, lithium, cobalt, and nickel, essential for electric vehicles and nuclear energy technologies.
- Junior Exploration Companies: These firms, akin to tech startups, offer high-risk, high-reward opportunities for investors.
- Reliable Mining Jurisdictions: Companies focusing on mining within well-known and reliable mining juridictions are likely to attract significant investment.
Economic Impact
- The U.S. mining industry is poised to create jobs and fuel economic growth by tapping into its vast mineral resources.
- Enhanced domestic production capabilities will strengthen national security and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
China’s strategic moves and the U.S. response highlight the critical role of minerals in the global energy transition and economic security. The U.S. mining sector, supported by favorable policies and innovative exploration efforts, is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.
Securing the Nation’s Supply Chain: Trump Administration Expands Critical Mineral Production

March 21st, 2025

The Trump administration has taken decisive action to strengthen the United States’ domestic production of critical minerals, marking a significant step toward securing the nation’s energy independence and national security. By invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA), President Donald Trump signed an executive order to bolster the ability of the U.S. to mine, process, and produce critical minerals and rare earth elements domestically. This comprehensive effort targets reducing reliance on foreign imports—particularly from China—and aims to establish a stable and resilient supply chain for these indispensable resources.

Why Domestic Production Matters

Critical minerals play an essential role in the production of numerous technologies, from batteries and renewable energy systems to defense applications vital to national security. Yet, despite possessing some of these minerals, the U.S. imports a substantial amount, with a staggering 70% of rare earth imports coming from China. This dependency creates economic vulnerabilities and strategic risks, particularly as China has started implementing export controls on materials like germanium and gallium—key resources for various industries.

Recognizing these challenges, the executive order prioritizes domestic production as a solution. Measures include financial support such as loans, investments in mineral processing facilities, and expedited permitting processes for mining projects. These actions not only reduce foreign dependency but also provide the infrastructure to support long-term economic growth within the mining and energy sectors.

Exploring Untapped Potential

The U.S. is home to significant untapped reserves of critical minerals, including uranium, copper, potash, and gold. With the implementation of this executive order, exploration activities are expected to intensify, particularly on federal lands where resources remain largely underdeveloped. By working closely with private sector partners, the administration seeks to identify new deposits and ensure that these valuable resources contribute to a self-sufficient supply chain.

This focus on exploration aligns with the broader goal of energy independence. By tapping into domestic reserves, the U.S. mitigates its reliance on unpredictable global markets, ensuring access to the materials critical for advanced technologies and industrial needs. It also positions the nation to become a global leader in the production and processing of these vital minerals.

A Lucrative Opportunity for Investment

In addition to fortifying supply chains and national security, the executive order opens significant investment opportunities. The designation of critical minerals now includes not only rare earth elements but also uranium, coal, and other essential materials. This broadening of scope provides companies with a clear path to develop new projects under a supportive regulatory and financial framework.

With growing demand for materials used in renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and defense systems, investors stand to benefit from a favorable market outlook. The administration’s commitment to faster permitting and financial backing minimizes risk, enabling businesses to take on ambitious projects. This support not only ensures the continuity of supply for industries but also fosters innovation and economic diversification.

Building a Resilient Future

The Trump administration’s decision to leverage the Defense Production Act underscores the strategic importance of critical minerals to national security and economic stability. This law, originally enacted in the 1950s, has been invoked in modern times to address pressing national needs, such as boosting mask production during the pandemic and incentivizing the production of battery materials under the Biden administration. Now, it serves as a key instrument in addressing vulnerabilities within the U.S. supply chain for critical minerals.

As geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties continue to shape the global landscape, the need for a stable and secure supply of critical minerals has never been greater. By fostering exploration, streamlining production, and encouraging investment, the U.S. is taking proactive measures to insulate itself from market volatility and potential supply chain disruptions.

This initiative represents a historic step in ensuring that the nation remains competitive and resilient in the face of growing demand for the materials that power its economy and safeguard its security. Through public-private partnerships and innovative policy measures, the U.S. is charting a course toward a more sustainable and independent future.