(Red State)—The good news on the energy and technology fronts just keeps on a’coming. In the latest, the Department of Energy on Wednesday announced the opening of the first new American rare-earth mining project in 70 years. The Ramaco Brook Mine, in Wyoming, is estimated to contain as much as 1.7 million tons of rare earth oxide.
The groundbreaking discovery at the Ramaco Brook Mine marks a turning point for America as the first new rare earth facility in 7 DECADES, containing 1.7 MILLION tons of rare earth oxides.
Developing American supply chains for rare earth minerals STRENGTHENS our energy security.
— U.S. Department of Energy (@ENERGY) July 9, 2025
The Washington Examiner has more details.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright will attend the opening of the first rare earth mine in the United States in more than 70 years.
Taking place on July 11 at Ramaco’s iCAM Technology Center in Ranchester, Wyoming, the event celebrating the Brook Mine Carbon Ore Rare Earth project will host speakers from the national and state levels, according to a press release.
“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,” Ramaco Resources Chairman and CEO Randall W. Atkins said. “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.”
We currently import about 70 percent of our rare earth minerals from China. We import 100 percent of the minerals Scandium and Yttrium. Scandium is used to make aluminum alloys heavily used in aircraft, along with its use in light sources. Yttrium has a wide range of uses, from electronics to medical applications.
Also, the Brooks Mine project is a major coal producer.
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