I recently wrote about the numerous positive developments related to the mining and processing of critical minerals, such as rare earths, outside of China, which were supported by two key executive orders from President Donald Trump.

I can now report even more success in domestic mine expansion. The Trump administration recently approved the reopening of the Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium mine in southeastern Utah, marking the first mining project to be permitted under a new, dramatically accelerated environmental review process.

The decision, executed by the Department of the Interior, was made in just 14 days…a stark contrast to the months or years such reviews typically require.

“This approval marks a turning point in how we secure America’s mineral future,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in a statement. “By streamlining the review process for critical mineral projects like Velvet-Wood, we’re reducing dependence on foreign adversaries and ensuring our military, medical and energy sectors have the resources they need to thrive. This is mineral security in action.”...