Overview
Stage
Permitting
Location
Emery County Utah
The San Rafael Mine, specifically, is part of this rich history of uranium extraction in the Green River region. Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. acquired the San Rafael Mine as part of its portfolio of properties in Utah, recognizing its potential for high-grade uranium and vanadium production. The core uranium deposit of the San Rafael Uranium Project is the Deep Gold deposit. The Historic Indicated Mineral Resource (CIM Definition) for the entire San Rafael Uranium Project comprises 479,050 tons @ 0.25% U3O8 containing 2,415,300 lbs U3O8 and a Historic Inferred Mineral Resource (CIM Definition) of 92,350 tonnes @ 0.32% U3O8 containing 587,800 lbs U3O8. Historic vanadium resource exists at the project.
Western Uranium & Vanadium’s acquisition of the San Rafael Mine was part of the company’s broader strategy to revive key uranium assets as global demand for nuclear energy increased, particularly as countries began looking for clean, carbon-free energy sources. The San Rafael Mine contains significant reserves of both uranium and vanadium, which are critical for nuclear power generation and industrial applications, respectively.
Current and Future Operations
Today, Western Uranium & Vanadium is working to permit the San Rafael Mine in response to favorable market conditions for uranium and vanadium. With the global shift toward cleaner energy and the increasing reliance on nuclear power, uranium has seen a resurgence in demand. Vanadium, used in steel alloys and emerging technologies like vanadium redox flow batteries, has also grown in importance.
The company is currently focused on ensuring that the mine complies with environmental and safety regulations, as well as securing necessary permits for mining activities. Once operational, the San Rafael Mine is expected to contribute significantly to Western Uranium & Vanadium’s overall production goals, with a focus on delivering high-grade uranium for the nuclear energy sector and vanadium for industrial and technological applications.
Geology and Mineralization
The San Rafael Mine is located within the Morrison Formation, a geologic unit that spans parts of Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. This formation is famous for its uranium-bearing sandstone deposits, which have been the focus of mining efforts for decades. The mine sits in a region where uranium occurs in roll-front deposits, which form when mineral-rich groundwater circulates through permeable rock formations, leaving behind concentrated zones of uranium and vanadium.
These deposits in the Green River region are particularly appealing due to their high grades and the relative ease with which the ore can be extracted. Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. plans to apply modern mining techniques and processing technologies, including the potential use of kinetic separation, to maximize the efficiency of the ore processing and reduce environmental impact.
