Ur-Energy Inc. has commenced operations at its Shirley Basin Project in Wyoming and received authorization to transport uranium-loaded resin [1, 2].
The restart of operations marks a significant step in advancing U.S. uranium production. By resuming activity at a site that has been dormant for decades, the company aims to leverage historic data and increase the domestic supply of nuclear fuel [1, 4].
Operations began June 29, 2026 [1, 3]. The company has reached a regulatory milestone that allows for the movement of uranium-loaded resin, a critical step in the extraction and processing chain [1, 2]. This development follows the completion of wellfield installation and construction phases.
According to Morningstar, "Uranium bearing solution is now being captured from Mine Unit 1 at Shirley Basin after the successful completion of significant construction, wellfield installation, and permitting" [2]. The company said uranium concentrations in recovered solutions will increase as operations progress [2].
This project represents the first uranium mining activity at the Shirley Basin site since 1992 [5]. The return to production is part of a broader effort by Ur-Energy and partners, like Noble Plains Uranium Corp., to unlock the potential of the region using modern techniques and data analysis [1, 4].
The company, which trades on the NYSE under the ticker URG, is positioning itself within a shifting energy landscape where domestic sourcing of uranium is prioritized for national security and energy independence [1].
“Uranium bearing solution is now being captured from Mine Unit 1 at Shirley Basin”
The resumption of mining at Shirley Basin signals a strategic shift toward reducing reliance on foreign uranium imports. By utilizing In-Situ Recovery (ISR) and modernizing sites that were abandoned in the early 1990s, the U.S. is attempting to stabilize its nuclear fuel pipeline to meet the demands of a growing fleet of carbon-free power plants.
