Ramaco Resources Unveils Brook Mine Project in Wyoming

Sheridan, Wyoming, October 12, 2025

News Summary

Ramaco Resources, Inc. is attracting attention with its Brook Mine project in Wyoming, marking the first new rare earth mine in the U.S. in over 70 years. The mine, rich in medium and heavy rare earth elements, aims to bolster U.S. mineral independence amidst rising global demand and export restrictions from China. The project is projected to yield significant quantities of rare earth oxides essential for modern technologies, with financial assessments indicating strong economic viability. Interviews with the company’s CEO highlight the strategic importance of this initiative.

Lexington, Kentucky – Ramaco Resources, Inc., a Kentucky-based mining company, is receiving global attention for its Brook Mine project located in Sheridan, Wyoming. The project is significant as it marks the first new rare earth mine in the United States in over 70 years and the first new coal mine in Wyoming in more than 50 years. The company’s Chairman and CEO, Randall W. Atkins, is set to discuss the project in interviews on Bloomberg Television and BBC News Business Today during the week of October 13, 2025.

The Brook Mine has attracted international interest due to its high concentrations of medium and heavy rare earth elements, along with critical minerals embedded within the coal seams. These resources are vital for various advanced technologies, including electric vehicles, batteries, and other electronic devices.

Atkins has outlined the importance of the Brook Mine project in strengthening U.S. independence from foreign sources of rare earth minerals. Historically, the rare earth market has been dominated by China, which has recently imposed export restrictions. In a series of recent interviews, including segments on CNBC, Fox Business, and Sky News, Atkins has underscored Ramaco’s commitment to becoming a significant player in the critical mineral market.

In 2023, Ramaco uncovered a substantial deposit of magnetic rare earths and critical minerals at its Wyoming site. This discovery was complemented by the development of a pilot facility for advanced carbon products. Additionally, the company holds approximately 76 intellectual property patents and pending applications, focusing on innovative extraction and processing technologies.

Financial assessments by Fluor Corporation have confirmed the economic viability of the rare earth deposits at the Brook Mine. The project is projected to yield a net present value of $1.197 billion and an internal rate of return of 38%. The Brook Mine is expected to produce around 1,242 tons of rare earth oxides every year, containing essential minerals such as dysprosium and neodymium.

The Brook Mine could potentially satisfy about 3-5% of the total U.S. demand for permanent magnets, emphasizing its role as a strategic initiative amidst national security concerns regarding mineral dependency. Mining operations have already commenced, and full-scale commercial production is anticipated in the coming years, contingent on securing federal support for constructing necessary processing facilities.

Ramaco Resources operates in southern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia, focusing on high-quality, low-cost metallurgical coal while also developing coal, rare earth, and critical minerals in Wyoming. The company owns four active metallurgical coal mining complexes located in Central Appalachia and is actively working on the development of the Brook Mine.

The attention garnered by the Brook Mine project reflects the growing recognition of the need for domestic sources of critical minerals as part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign imports and enhance the United States’ resource independence. As global demand for rare earth elements continues to rise, initiatives like Ramaco’s are likely to play a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of the mining industry in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Ramaco Resources Announces Martin van Wyk as Senior VP of Critical Minerals Processing
Bond Hearing for Suspects in Daeivyon Elliott’s Death

Additional Resources

• FreightWaves: Massive Rare Earths Elements Deposit Confirmed in Wyoming
• Wikipedia: Rare Earth Elements
• Popular Mechanics: Wyoming Rare Earth Mine Discovery
• Google Search: Rare Earth Elements
• Mining.com: American Rare Earths Adds to First Oxides from Halleck Creek
• Google Scholar: Rare Earth Elements Mining
• Cowboy State Daily: Wyoming Projects in Bull’s Eye of America’s Urgent Push for Rare Earths
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Rare Earth Element
• AP News: Wyoming Coal, Rare Earth, Ramaco Mine
• Google News: Wyoming Rare Earth Mining

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.