America Throws Big Money at a Small Rare-Earths Mine

Wyoming rare earth mine touted as America’s first in decades isn’t economically viable, critics say

Ramaco Resources says its Brook Mine near Sheridan, Wyoming, will satisfy a large chunk of U.S. demand for rare earths, but experts say the mine's potential falls well beneath the hype and won’t likely ever turn a profit — much less produce any minerals.

U.S. Defense Department Takes a Stake in a Rare Earth Company

The Defense Department (DOD) is investing in MP Materials to undercut China’s rare-earth magnet dominance. China dominates the supply chain of refined rare earths, controlling 92% of the market. MP Materials has the only rare earth mine in the United States, the Mountain Pass Mine in California, and also produces magnets, which are a key component of weapons systems. With the DOD investment, MP Materials will build a second production facility t…

America throws big money at a small rare-earths mine

Challenging China’s dominance will be a tall order

Wyoming’s first new coal mine in decades to extract rare earths

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The developer of what would be the first new coal mine in Wyoming in decades is launching a potentially half-billion-dollar effort to extract rare earth metals from the fossil fuel that are crucial for tech products and military hardware. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Wyoming’s congressional delegation took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday for Ramaco Resources’ Brook Mine outside Ranche…

Graphite’s criticality equals or exceeds rare earths – Richard Mills

2025.07.17 The Pentagon will become the largest shareholder in MP Materials, the only rare earths miner in the United States, after agreeing to buy $400 million of its preferred stock, the company said on July 10th. Proceeds from the investment will be used to expand MP’s rare earths processing capacity and permanent magnet production. Until recently, MP Materials dug up predominantly light rare earth elements from Mountain Pass and sent them to…