On July 11, 2025, Ramaco Resources officially opened the Brook Mine Carbon Ore Rare Earth project near Ranchester, Wyoming—marking the first rare-earth mining operation in the United States in over seven decades and the first new coal mine in Wyoming in more than 50 years.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, Senate Republicans John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, Representative Harriet Hageman, and former Senator Joe Manchin, now on Ramaco’s board. Wright emphasized the project’s importance for “unleashing the American mineral development needed to secure U.S. energy dominance, fuel economic growth, and safeguard our national security,” while Barrasso noted it would “power the advanced technologies driving our economy and national defense.”
Unlike traditional hard-rock sources, the Brook Mine adopts a “carbon ore” method, extracting rare earth elements (REEs) like neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium from coal and surrounding clay material. This approach is less energy-intensive, avoids radioactive tailings, and allows for simpler processing—breaking only with hand-held tenderness—according to Ramaco CEO Randall Atkins.
A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) by Fluor Corporation projects an annual output of 1,242 short tons of mixed REE oxides, with capital costs around $473 million and an expected pre-tax net present value (NPV) of $1.2 billion—yielding a 38% internal rate of return over a projected 42-year mine life. Production is estimated to begin in 2027, with full operations achieved by 2029.
Currently, China accounts for nearly 90% of global rare-earth production; it provided nearly 70% of U.S. imports between 2020 and 2023. The new Wyoming mine marks a significant shift toward diversifying supply chains, enhancing U.S. control over key inputs for high-tech and defense industries.
Ramaco estimates that Brook Mine could satisfy up to 5% of U.S. demand for permanent magnets and over 30% of defense-specific requirements. With an annual revenue potential of $378 million by 2029, it contributes to both national security and economic growth.
Ranchester, a small town of roughly 1,000 people nestled near the Big Horn Mountains, stands at the heart of the operation. Local leaders and residents have praised the mine for bringing hundreds of jobs and boosting the regional economy.
State and federal support have been robust: Wyoming awarded a $6.1 million matching grant for a processing plant, and federal policies—including reduced royalties—fostered expedited permitting and development.
Environmental safeguards were underscored, with officials emphasizing responsible mining practices and minimal radioactive waste due to the coal-derived deposit’s geology.
Ramaco CEO Atkins described the milestone as “a declaration of America’s resolve to reclaim its leadership in critical minerals and energy independence.” Wyoming officials echoed this sentiment: Gov. Gordon praised the project’s role in “energy innovation,” while Sen. Lummis said it reflects Wyoming’s tradition of setting energy trends.
Secretary Wright framed this as part of a broader federal strategy to reassert U.S. dominance in mining, including newly enabled coal leases and streamlined resource development—moving in tandem with national security and economic resilience goals.
The opening of the Brook Mine represents more than just a new mining operation—it signals a strategic inflection point in U.S. rare-earth supply. By leveraging innovative extraction techniques, robust economic planning, and high-level backing, the project advances America’s mission to reduce reliance on foreign sources, strengthen its supply chain, and protect national security while revitalizing local communities.
