U.S.-based uranium producer Ur-Energy Inc. has officially commenced uranium mining operations at its Shirley Basin project in Wyoming, marking a significant step in expanding domestic nuclear fuel production.
The project, developed using in-situ recovery (ISR) technology, has transitioned from development to active operations, becoming the company’s second operational uranium facility. Initial mining has begun at the first wellfield, where uranium-bearing solutions are being extracted and prepared for further processing.
The Shirley Basin project has a licensed annual production capacity of up to 2 million pounds of uranium (U₃O₈), with estimated mineral resources of around 9 million pounds. The mine is expected to operate for approximately nine years, contributing significantly to U.S. uranium supply.
Extracted uranium will be transported to the company’s Lost Creek facility for final processing and packaging, as part of an integrated production strategy.
The launch comes amid growing global demand for nuclear energy and efforts by the United States to strengthen domestic uranium production and reduce reliance on imports. Industry experts view the development as a key milestone in reviving uranium mining in historically significant regions like Shirley Basin.