News – Sheridan Media
Wyoming has opened its first coal mine in 50 years and it just so happens that it’s also the first Rare Earth Mine in 70 years to open.
In 2023, it was discovered that coal from the Brook Mine, located about 10 miles northwest of Sheridan, contained various minerals such as neodymium and dysprosium, which can be used as wind turbine magnets, as well as yttrium and terbium, which have military uses such as targeting devices.
The term “Rare Earth Minerals” is used because they are difficult to extract and purify in economically viable quantities.
They are often found mixed with other minerals, making it difficult to isolate.
Mining.com reports when it comes to Rare Earth Minerals, China controls 91% of refining activity, 87% of oxide separation and 94% of magnet production. (Click here to read more)
Speaking at the recent opening ceremony at Ramaco Resources, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said what’s currently in the Brooks Mine could not only allow the USA to be less dependent on China’s work, but could also cause China to lose some of its grip on the worldwide market.
“We can not regulate ourselves into a future, we must innovate ourselves into a future. We know we can take our future back from China. We have friends in Taiwan and Japan who are saying, ‘For heavens’ sake America, do something, so that we can help with your efforts, to make sure that China does not nominate the world.’”
Ramaco Resources announced last week that the Brook Mine has received a second 5-year mine permit approval from the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
The permit authorizes the company to continue to conduct coal mining and reclamation activities across a total of more than 45-hundred permitted acres north of Sheridan.
Earlier this year, Governor Gordon approved a Wyoming Energy Authority recommended $6.1 million Energy Matching Fund grant award, to support the construction of a pilot-scale processing facility at the Brook Mine.
Construction is planned to begin later this year.
Click here to read the Ramaco Resources media release
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Last modified: August 5, 2025