Wyoming’s First New Coal Mine in 50 Years to Focus on Rare Earth Element Extraction

In a notable shift for Wyoming’s energy sector, the state is preparing to open its first new coal mine in half a century — but this time, the operation’s main value won’t lie in burning coal, ABC News reports.

Instead, it will center on extracting rare earth elements and other critical minerals vital for advanced technologies and national defense.

Ramaco Resources, Inc. is set to break ground Friday on the Brook Mine near Ranchester in northern Wyoming. The event is expected to draw high-profile attendees, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, former US Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, and members of the state’s congressional delegation.

The Brook Mine project represents a departure from traditional coal operations in Wyoming, which for decades have fueled power plants across the US As the demand for coal-generated electricity has declined due to the rise of renewables and natural gas, the state’s coal sector has contracted significantly.

Ramaco’s approach is different: The company plans to mine coal not primarily as an energy source but as a host material for rare earth elements and other valuable critical minerals. These materials — including neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium, and terbium — are used in technologies such as wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, targeting systems, and other military hardware.

Analysis by US national laboratories has confirmed the presence of these elements in the coal at the Brook Mine, along with gallium, scandium, and germanium — all designated as critical minerals by the federal government.

Ramaco CEO Randall Atkins said the company’s goal is to mine and process the rare earths entirely within Wyoming and sell them to US buyers, including the federal government.

“We would intend to mine it here in Wyoming, process it here in Wyoming and sell it to domestic customers,” Atkins stated.

Currently, China supplies about 90% of the world’s rare earths. Concerns over access to these strategically important materials have spurred US policymakers — including the Trump administration — to encourage domestic production.

Ramaco has received support for the project from both state and federal sources. This year, the company secured a $6.1 million grant from the state of Wyoming to help develop a mineral processing facility. It has also received grants from the US Department of Energy to explore turning coal into carbon-based products such as carbon fiber.

Former Sen. Joe Manchin, a longtime advocate of US energy independence, joined Ramaco’s board in April after leaving office.

While the project has drawn interest for its economic potential, it has also faced hurdles. Landowners and environmental advocates have expressed concerns about groundwater depletion and the long-term impact of mining activity. The Brook Mine has been in development for more than a decade.

A recent consultant report estimates the full cost of developing both the mine and its processing plant at approximately $500 million. If the rare earth extraction proves successful, Ramaco believes it could recover those costs within five years. The company also plans to sell the residual processed coal as fuel.

The Brook Mine’s dual focus on mineral extraction and energy production may offer a new model for legacy coal regions facing economic uncertainty. Whether the venture can deliver on its promise will depend on the viability of rare earth recovery at scale — and the market demand for these critical materials.