Federal officials have selected the long-delayed Dewey Burdock uranium mining proposal near Edgemont, South Dakota, for the FAST-41 permitting process—an initiative designed to streamline reviews and improve agency coordination. While this doesn’t greenlight the project, it could shave up to 18 months off the federal timeline.
The project, led by Texas-based enCore Energy, has been in development for nearly 20 years and requires multiple federal, state, and local permits. EnCore hopes to begin operations within two years, pending approvals. Executive Chairman William Sheriff said the company aims to boost domestic energy supply and stimulate the local economy.
FAST-41, originally created under President Obama for infrastructure projects, was expanded to include mining under President Trump’s administration. Trump also signed an executive order earlier this year to accelerate critical mineral production, including uranium.
EnCore plans to use “in situ” mining—a method involving underground injection of a water-based solution to extract uranium with minimal surface disruption. However, environmental groups and tribal organizations remain firmly opposed. Critics, including the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, cite risks to groundwater and cultural sites.
The federal Permitting Council will release a project timeline within two months. If federal permits are secured, the state permitting process will follow. Meanwhile, another company, Clean Nuclear Energy Corp., has submitted a separate uranium exploration permit, also facing opposition.
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