Utah approves draft permits for Anfield uranium mill
Anfield Energy Inc. (TSX.V: AEC; NASDAQ: AEC; FRANKFURT: 0AD) announced on October 21, 2026, that the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC) has issued draft copies of two key regulatory documents for the company’s Shootaring Canyon Mill in Garfield County, Utah.
The company received a draft renewed radioactive materials license and a draft groundwater discharge permit for the facility. These documents represent the next step in the renewal process for the mill, which is one of only three licensed, permitted, and constructed conventional uranium mills in the United States. Anfield’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Anfield Resources Holding Corp., applied for the original license renewal on April 5, 2024, and has since submitted all requested materials.
License Terms and Public Comment Timeline
The draft license, as currently written, would authorize the possession of natural uranium and 11e.(2) byproduct material at Shootaring Canyon. It also sets a production cap of 1,500 tons—equivalent to 3 million pounds—of uranium concentrate, known as yellowcake, per year. The document outlines requirements for financial surety and groundwater monitoring standards.
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According to the company, discussions with DWMRC staff suggest the documents could be published for public notice and comment by the end of 2026. The resulting 45-day comment period is expected to begin either in late 2026 or early 2027. Anfield stated that the timing of this process is controlled by the Division and remains subject to change.
Corey Dias, Anfield CEO, commented: “Receiving both the draft renewed license and draft groundwater discharge permit from DWMRC is meaningful progress on the reactivation pathway and moves us one significant step closer to securing the renewed license. We appreciate the Division’s continued work on our application and look forward to the 45-day public comment process potentially commencing by the end of 2026.”
For workers on the site, this regulatory clarity allows the facility to move from preparation to active refurbishment. Subject to the issuance of the renewed license, Anfield is targeting the start of major refurbishment work in the second quarter of 2027.
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Separate from the licensing terms, Anfield’s refurbishment plans target a daily throughput capacity of 1,000 tons. The company also intends to add a new vanadium circuit, which would allow Shootaring to process both uranium and vanadium ore from multiple project sources through the facility.
Anfield continues to remove legacy equipment from the leach area under its existing license. This work focuses on replacing leach tanks, associated piping, electrical systems, pumps, motors, and related infrastructure. The Company expects the site preparation completed under the existing license to help shorten the overall refurbishment timeline after the renewed license is issued.
Douglas L. Beahm, P.E., P.G., is the Company’s qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed, verified and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Beahm is not independent of the Company, as he is the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.
