Energy officials are planning to travel to Wyoming for the opening of a new rare earth mine, the first in the United States in more than 70 years and the first new coal mine in Wyoming in more than 50 years. The event, involving a “landmark” ribbon cutting, will occur on July 11.
The event launching the Brooke Mine Carbon Ore Rare Earth project will be themed “American Independence: A Rare Earth Revolution.”
“This is more than a ribbon cutting — it’s a declaration of America’s resolve to reclaim its leadership in critical minerals and energy independence,” said Randall W. Atkins, Chairman and Chief Executive of Ramaco Resources. “We are proud that Ramaco will be developing the first new mine to lead the United States in creating a viable domestic supply line of strategic rare earths and critical minerals. “
“The magnitude of our deposit is such that the Brook Mine will be able to supply a substantial portion of the critical supply needed for our country for many decades to come. We have been able to find these critical materials associated with coal, an abundant resource that indeed the United States possesses the world’s largest supply,” Atkins continued. “This demonstrates that coal will continue to play a vital role in supplying our nation’s critical minerals as well as energy requirements. China may now be dominating these critical materials. But this will be America’s rare earth mine.”
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon (R) declared that the state “continues to be a leader in energy innovation, including the expansion of our critical mineral industries.”
“With support from the Energy Matching Funds Program, we are celebrating the exciting potential for Wyoming coal and rare earth minerals, along with their role in the expansion of our state’s energy economy,” he said.
Areas near Wheatland, Wyoming, are believed to have 2.34 billion metric tons of rare earth minerals, a 2024 report from American Rare Earths says.
