A groundbreaking discovery in Wyoming has the potential to make the United States a world leader in the production of rare earth minerals. With over 2.34 billion metric tons of rare earth minerals uncovered, this finding could significantly shift the global supply chain and lessen the United States’ dependence on China for these critical resources.
American Rare Earths announced that the reserves near Wheatland, Wyoming, have far surpassed initial expectations, uncovering a massive 2.34 billion metric tons of rare earth minerals. This discovery dramatically overshadows China’s reserves, which stand at 44 million metric tons, marking a significant milestone for the U.S. in the global minerals market.
According to Don Schwartz, CEO of American Rare Earths, “These results are illustrative of the enormous potential of the project when the resource increased by 64 per cent during a developmental drilling campaign, which increased measured/indicated resources by 128 per cent.”
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The Importance of Rare Earth Minerals
Rare earth minerals are crucial components in a wide array of modern technologies. They are essential in the production of smartphones, hybrid cars, military technologies, and even common household items like light bulbs and lamps. The minerals found in Wyoming include oxides of neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, dysprosium, and terbium.
- Neodymium: Used in magnets for hard drives and mobile phones.
- Praseodymium: Used in high-strength alloys for aircraft engines.
- Dysprosium: Used in control rods for nuclear reactors.
- Terbium: Used in low-energy light bulbs and mercury lamps.
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Currently, China dominates the rare earth minerals market, producing 95 per cent of the world’s supply. The United States imports 74 per cent of its rare earth minerals from China. However, with the recent discovery in Wyoming, American Rare Earths is poised to challenge China’s supremacy. The company has only drilled about 25 per cent of the property and has already surpassed initial expectations.
“Typically, you’ll see the resource decrease as infill drilling takes place – instead, we’re seeing the opposite, with only 25 per cent of the project being drilled to this point,” Schwartz noted.
Implications for American Industry
The potential for the United States to become a leading producer of rare earth minerals could have significant implications for American industry and national security. With the discovery in Wyoming, the U.S. could reduce its reliance on Chinese imports, ensuring a more stable and secure supply of these critical materials.
Moreover, the economic impact of such a large-scale mining operation could be substantial, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth in the region.
While the discovery is a major boon for the U.S. economy and industry, it also raises environmental concerns. Open-pit mining, the method proposed for extracting the minerals, is known to be an environmental hazard. However, it is also the fastest and safest way to extract large quantities of minerals.
Open-pit mining, such as the massive Bingham Canyon mine near Salt Lake City, Utah, can pull as much as 20,000 tons of material a day, but it leaves behind a gaping hole in the ground, raising concerns about environmental sustainability.
American Rare Earths is not the only player in Wyoming’s rare earth minerals boom. Ramaco Resources has also discovered significant deposits near Sheridan, Wyoming, with an estimated value of $37 billion. Although Ramaco’s estimates are significantly smaller than those of American Rare Earths, the competition underscores the vast potential of Wyoming’s mineral resources.
Randall Atkins, CEO of Ramaco Resources, stated, “We only tested it for 100, 200 feet, which is about the maximum you’d ever want to do a conventional coal mine. Much deeper than that, and the cost would be prohibitive to mine for $15-a-ton coal.”
The discovery comes at a critical juncture as China recently announced a ban on rare earth extraction in December 2023. This geopolitical shift presents an opportunity for the US to capitalize on its newfound resources and challenge China’s long-standing dominance in the rare earth market.
“This is now a race,” Schwartz declared, underscoring the urgency and competitive spirit driving American Rare Earths’ efforts to expedite the extraction process and bring these critical minerals to market.
