First US rare-earth mine in 70 years to break ground
The Brook Mine will also be the first new coal mine in Wyoming in more than 50 years.
Ramaco Resources will open the mines as part of the Brook Mine Carbon Ore Rare Earth project.
The company claims the Brook Mine holds the US’ largest unconventional deposit of rare-earth elements (REE) and critical minerals sourced from coal and carbonaceous ore.
The mine consists of soft, friable clay and rock, which is associated with coal and low radioactive elements. The company explains this can reduce costs and energy requirements for processing when compared to hard-rock mining.
A preliminary economic assessment (PEA), carried out by Fluor Corporation, shows up to 1.7Mt of REE oxides can be taken from the permitted area, with additional exploration a possibility.
At steady states, 1,242 short tons of oxide are predicted to be produced annually, including 456 tons of gallium, germanium, scandium, terbium, dysprosium, neodymium and praseodymium.
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