The US has unveiled a plan to extract rare earth metals from coal in Wyoming, marking the first new coal mine in decades. Ramaco Resources, Inc.’s Brook Mine outside Ranchester is set to become the state’s first new coal mine in 50 years.
Rare earth elements are crucial for tech products and military hardware, with nearly all of the nation’s supply coming from China. The only operating US rare earths mine is at Mountain Pass in California. Wyoming plans to process its extracted rare earths domestically, reducing reliance on China.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Energy Secretary Chris Wright attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ramaco Resources’ Brook Mine. “Not only do we get coal here, we’re going to get those rare earth elements that are going to break our dependence on China,” Wright said.
The Brook Mine project has been stalled due to concerns over groundwater depletion. However, the company plans to sell the processed coal as fuel and expects a $533 million profit in five years if the extracted rare earths prove profitable.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-coal-rare-earth-ramaco-mine-e4a3eff0b20039491df2dac99fa8ef0f