Years of work: "Approval of these amendments is the culmination of many years of extensive environmental baseline data collection, technical analyses, public comments, and regulatory review,” said Ur-Energy CEO and chair of the board, John Cash, in the company’s April 28 announcement. “Although it is several years before we plan to begin operations in the newly approved mine units, it is gratifying that the state has finalized its approvals."
In a May 8 announcement of first-quarter financial results issued after the EPA’s approval, Cash added, “We appreciate the Wyoming Water Quality Division and EPA's careful consideration of the aquifer exemption for the LC East and KM Amendment areas for the Lost Creek Permit to Mine. . . . The nuclear fuel generated from the Lost Creek Project will provide clean, baseload power for U.S. and European power plants while diversifying Wyoming's tax base and reducing our nation's reliance on uranium from other countries.”
Timing: Before Ur-Energy begins operations in the new areas of Lost Creek, it will be focusing on construction of its fully permitted Shirley Basin project, the company's second in situ recovery uranium facility in Wyoming. U-Energy decided to begin construction at Shirley Basin after making a “go” decision in March 2024.
In an April 17 update, the company said that Shirley Basin is “a prolific historic uranium district and the birthplace of in situ uranium mining in 1963,” with startup estimated in early 2026.
The EPA’s action: The EPA’s May 1 approval of a request from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) to allow the expansion of uranium mining at Lost Creek concerns the Battle Springs Formation, an aquifer located throughout the Great Divide basin in south-central Wyoming.
The Underground Injection Control program prohibits the injection of fluids—including in situ mining solutions that dissolve uranium deposits so that they can be extracted—into aquifers like Battle Springs unless EPA exempts the portion of aquifers containing commercially producible minerals. The WDEQ issued a Class III injection well permit for this project, and the EPA approved the aquifer exemption. According to the EPA, the agency has determined, working with the WDEQ, that the aquifer is not a current source of drinking water and will not be a future source of drinking water.
“Today’s decision will enable responsible energy development of critical uranium resources while protecting the groundwater of communities in Wyoming and create blue collar jobs along the way,” said Cyrus Western, EPA regional administrator.
Sen. John Barrasso said the decision is “a win for uranium production in Wyoming,” while Sen. Cynthia Lummis called it “a watershed moment for Wyoming's energy economy that not only recognizes our state’s vital role in the nation’s critical mineral supply chain but better positions us to achieve energy independence.”
“The WDEQ is pleased that EPA has concurred with Wyoming’s assessment and conclusion that the aquifer exemption is protective of drinking water sources and consistent with state and federal law,” said Todd Parfitt, WDEQ director. “This action will allow for the responsible development of uranium resources while ensuring drinking water sources are protected.”
Ur-Energy on federal impacts: Ur-Energy welcomed “significant additional developments at the federal level that may have positive impacts on our operations,” including an April 15 executive order from President Trump launching an investigation into the national security risks posed by U.S. reliance on imported critical minerals, including uranium, and an order to modify permitting procedures that could expedite the review of uranium projects.
Those orders “clearly illustrate the administration's interest in supporting domestic energy and mining projects and often explicitly list uranium as a mineral of interest,” the company stated on April 28. “Based on the actions listed above and actions taken during the previous administration, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, we believe the U.S. is on its way to regaining its leadership position in uranium production and in the greater nuclear industries.”
