Sheridan County, Wyoming, July 12, 2025 — In a historic moment for American industry and national security, officials gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Brook Mine, the first U.S.-owned and operated rare-earth elements (REE) mining site in more than seven decades. Located near Ranchester, this groundbreaking project represents a pivotal shift in U.S. critical-minerals strategy, aimed at reducing dependency on foreign sources and establishing a secure, domestic supply chain for materials vital to clean energy, defense, and electronics manufacturing.
Developed by Ramaco Resources, the Brook Mine will extract key rare-earth elements including neodymium, dysprosium, terbium, and gallium. These minerals are essential to the production of high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and military systems. For years, the United States has relied heavily on imports—primarily from China—for these materials, with China currently accounting for roughly 95 percent of global rare-earth output and 85 percent of refining capacity. The Brook Mine signals the first substantial effort to challenge that monopoly.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, and Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis hailed the project as both an economic and strategic milestone. The ceremony was also attended by Representative Harriet Hageman and Senator Joe Manchin, highlighting bipartisan support for domestic resource development. In remarks, Governor Gordon called the mine a “national security imperative,” while Senator Barrasso described it as “proof that Wyoming is leading the way in energy innovation.”
The Brook Mine will not only strengthen national supply chains but also boost regional economic development. Hundreds of new jobs are expected to be created in the Sheridan area, providing a fresh wave of economic activity to a region historically centered on coal. The mine operates in tandem with carbon-based ore processing, which makes it less radioactive and more environmentally efficient than traditional hard-rock rare-earth extraction methods.
A recently published feasibility study by Fluor Corporation confirmed the site’s long-term viability. According to the report, the Brook Mine is expected to yield approximately 1,242 short tons of rare-earth oxides annually over a 42-year operational lifespan, with a projected pre-tax net present value of $1.2 billion. The internal rate of return is estimated at 38 percent, positioning the project as a financially competitive alternative to global producers.
The mine is further supported by a $6.1 million grant from the Wyoming Energy Authority, aimed at establishing a pilot facility for critical-mineral processing. The pilot plant, located north of Sheridan, will test methods to separate and purify rare-earth concentrates—a key bottleneck in the U.S. critical-minerals value chain.
Nationally, the Brook Mine is part of a broader federal initiative to rebuild American rare-earth capacity. The Department of Defense has already invested in similar efforts in California, including a $400 million partnership with MP Materials to fund refining and magnet manufacturing in Texas. Meanwhile, new exploration projects are underway in Nebraska and Montana, though Brook remains the first to reach production stage.
The urgency of these developments has grown amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. In recent years, China has imposed export restrictions on key rare-earths, underscoring the vulnerability of global supply chains. By reestablishing domestic production, U.S. officials hope to insulate critical industries—from clean tech to aerospace—from potential supply disruptions.
For downstream industries, especially electric vehicle and semiconductor manufacturers, the opening of the Brook Mine is a turning point. Stable domestic access to rare-earth elements can reduce price volatility, enhance production planning, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness in strategic sectors. It also represents a concrete step toward reshoring industrial capabilities that have long been outsourced.
As operations ramp up in Wyoming, the Brook Mine is poised to become a national model for integrated, low-impact rare-earth production. Its success may serve as the foundation for a new era of American mineral independence, ensuring that the next wave of innovation in energy, technology, and defense is powered by resources mined at home.