Project Purpose

The purpose of the Laramide Crownpoint/Churchrock Project is to responsibly develop a secure, long-term domestic supply of uranium through in-situ recovery (ISR) methods at two licensed uranium deposits in northwestern New Mexico. The project supports U.S. energy independence and critical mineral security objectives by providing uranium for clean baseload nuclear power generation.

The project’s objective is to construct and operate an in-situ uranium recovery facility utilizing existing NRC-licensed wellfields at Crownpoint and Church Rock. The project will include installation of recovery infrastructure, wellfield development, water treatment, and ion exchange systems. Uranium-bearing solution will be extracted from the subsurface, processed onsite, and transported for final refining.

The Crownpoint/Church Rock Project is designed to meet all federal, tribal, and state environmental, cultural, and safety standards while contributing to the revitalization of legacy uranium mining areas with modern, low-impact technology.

Project Description

The Laramide Crownpoint/Church Rock Project is located in McKinley County, northwestern New Mexico, within the Grants Mineral Belt—an area with significant historical uranium production. The project spans two sites: Church Rock, situated on private land and Navajo allotments northeast of Gallup, and Crownpoint, located approximately 25 miles east of Church Rock within or near the community of Crownpoint on the Navajo Nation.

Both sites are covered under a single Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Source Material License for in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium operations. The project area lies in a semi-arid region characterized by sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the Westwater Canyon Member of the Morrison Formation.

Geospatial and Cultural Resource Context:

Cultural/Historic Resources: The project area is in proximity to Navajo communities and includes land with historical and cultural importance to the Navajo Nation. Section 106 consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is required to identify and mitigate impacts on any traditional cultural properties (TCPs) or archaeological sites.

Environmental Resources: Key environmental considerations include groundwater protection, air quality, and surface disturbance. The ISR process is designed to minimize surface impacts, with uranium extracted through a closed-loop underground system.

Land Ownership: The Church Rock site includes private, state, and tribal allottee lands, while Crownpoint is located within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, requiring tribal engagement and coordination.

Mapping and geospatial data, including wellfield layouts and cultural resource survey areas,

have been developed as part of the NRC licensing process and environmental reviews.

The project’s design and regulatory approach aim to balance mineral development with protection of cultural and environmental resources in close coordination with tribal and federal stakeholders.

Technical and Financial Ability

Laramide Resources (USA) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Laramide Resources Ltd., is the project sponsor for the Crownpoint/Church Rock Uranium Project. Laramide Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded company (TSX: LAM, OTCQX: LMRXF) with over two decades of experience in the exploration, development, and permitting of uranium projects in the United States and Australia.

Technical Capability:

Laramide possesses a strong technical team with extensive experience in uranium extraction, environmental compliance, and regulatory licensing. The company holds an active NRC Source Material License for the Crownpoint/Church Rock project, which demonstrates its technical preparedness and regulatory alignment for in-situ recovery (ISR) operations. Laramide has completed significant technical work, including:

Hydrologic and geologic studies of the Westwater Canyon uranium-hosted formation

Wellfield and plant designs for ISR

Cultural resource assessments and environmental baseline studies

Laramide's development approach incorporates modern ISR technology, which is recognized for its minimal surface disturbance and strong environmental performance.

Financial Capability:

Laramide Resources Ltd. maintains access to private capital markets in North America and Australia and has a track record of raising equity capital to fund project development. The company’s uranium assets are considered strategically important, aligning with U.S. critical mineral policy goals. Laramide is also positioned to pursue future funding or offtake agreements under U.S. government programs aimed at enhancing domestic uranium supply chains.

Laramide's demonstrated ability to secure financing, coupled with its regulatory readiness and operational expertise, confirms its capacity to successfully construct and operate the Crownpoint/Church Rock Project in compliance with all federal, state, and tribal requirements.

Summary of Financing, Reviews and Authorizations

The project is regulated under a federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Source Material License, which covers both Crownpoint and Church Rock sites. Environmental reviews required or previously completed include:

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): A full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was previously prepared and remains active under NRC jurisdiction. Any substantial project modifications would require supplemental NEPA analysis.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Section 106: Required due to the cultural significance of the area to the Navajo Nation. Cultural resource surveys and tribal consultations are part of ongoing compliance.

Endangered Species Act (ESA), Section 7: Review required to address potential impacts to threatened or endangered species in the project area.

Clean Water Act (CWA): If surface discharges or construction disturb jurisdictional waters or wetlands, applicable Section 404 permits may be required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

3. Federal Authorizations

To proceed with full construction and operation, the following federal authorizations will be required or confirmed:

NRC Source Material License Implementation Approvals: Authorization to construct ISR wellfields, install recovery systems, and commence operations under the active license.

EPA Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permits (Class III & V): Throught EPA and the State of New Mexico will be required for ISR operations and related groundwater restoration activities.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Approvals: If infrastructure or land use affects Navajo allotments or requires rights-of-way.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Consultation: For ESA compliance and species protection measures.

SHPO/Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) Concurrence: As part of Section 106 coordination.

Critically, the project involves operations on and adjacent to Navajo allottee lands and will require federal rights-of-way, access easements, and surface use agreements. This necessitates formal authorization and approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which acts as trustee for Navajo allotment interests.

In addition, because the Crownpoint and Church Rock sites are located within and near communities of the Navajo Nation, the project must engage in meaningful consultation and coordination with the Navajo Nation government, including:

The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency (NNEPA)

The Navajo Department of Justice (NNDOJ)

The Navajo Resource and Development Committee (RDC)

Local Chapter Houses and community stakeholders

This layered federal–tribal interface further supports the project's complexity and reinforces the need for FAST-41 coordination.

Conclusion: The Crownpoint/Church Rock Project is proceeding under an established federal licensing regime with key environmental and cultural reviews already conducted. The project will require coordination with multiple federal agencies and tribal authorities to finalize authorizations for construction and operation. It is eligible for consideration under FAST-41due to the complexity and multi-agency scope of the federal review and permitting process.

Project Assessment

The project requires multiple federal authorizations to proceed, including but not limited to:

NRC authorization to construct and operate in-situ recovery (ISR) wellfields and processing facilities under the existing license.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits issued by State of NM and under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program (Class III and Class V).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) consultation under the Endangered Species Act.

Section 106 compliance under the National Historic Preservation Act, in coordination with SHPO and tribal historic preservation offices.

Possible Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approvals for rights-of-way or land access across Navajo allotments.

These authorizations establish a multi-agency federal permitting process subject to the coordinated review requirements of FAST-41.3. The Project Involves Infrastructure Construction

The Crownpoint/Church Rock Project includes substantial infrastructure components, including:

Construction of ISR wellfields and injection/recovery systems.

Centralized ion exchange and water treatment facilities.

Development of pipelines, power lines, and related site access infrastructure.

These activities clearly fall within the scope of “construction of infrastructure” as defined in the FAST Act.

4. The Project Meets the Investment Threshold

While uranium development is not automatically covered under a specific dollar threshold, the expected investment in wellfield development, processing infrastructure, environmental compliance, and long-term operations is likely to exceed $200 million over the life of the project. Thus, the project qualifies under § 4370m(6)(A)(v):

“…is determined by the Executive Director to be subject to NEPA and likely to require a total investment of more than $200,000,000.”

5. The Project Advances National Strategic Interests

Uranium is a federally designated critical mineral, and the project directly supports U.S. goals for:

Energy independence and security

Domestic nuclear fuel supply chain development

Reducing reliance on foreign state-owned uranium sources

The project aligns with Executive Orders and federal strategies related to critical minerals and energy security (e.g., EO 13817 and EO 13953), strengthening the case for covered project status under FAST-41.