Ur-Energy Inc. has commenced uranium mining operations at the Shirley Basin in-situ recovery project in Wyoming, reopening a site idle since 1992 [1], [2].
The restart of the mine is part of a broader effort to expand U.S. uranium production. As the demand for domestic nuclear fuel increases, the ability to source materials within the country reduces reliance on foreign imports and strengthens the national energy supply chain [5].
Located in Carbon County in central Wyoming [1], [3], the Shirley Basin project utilizes in-situ recovery (ISR) technology. This method allows the company to extract minerals without traditional open-pit or underground mining, minimizing the surface footprint of the operation [2].
Timeline reports regarding the exact start of operations vary. One report said operations commenced on April 23, 2025 [1], while a company earnings call indicated that initial mining activities began during the first quarter of 2026 [2]. The company received state permit approval for the LC East, HJ, and KM permit-to-mine amendments on April 28, 2025 [4].
Ur-Energy, which trades on the NYSE American under the ticker URG, is targeting the growing appetite for carbon-free energy sources [1]. The company is positioning the Shirley Basin site as a key asset in meeting the fuel requirements for the U.S. nuclear fleet [5].
The reopening marks the first time the site has been active in over three decades. By leveraging the previously developed infrastructure of the Shirley Basin project, the company aims to accelerate the delivery of uranium to the market [2].
“Ur-Energy has reopened a mine that had been idle since 1992.”
The reactivation of the Shirley Basin mine reflects a strategic shift toward energy independence in the nuclear sector. By restarting dormant domestic sites, the U.S. is attempting to insulate its power grid from geopolitical volatility affecting global uranium markets, while supporting the long-term viability of nuclear power as a carbon-free energy source.
