WYOMING – For years, China has been the leading global supplier of rare earth treasures, which has granted it power in the global technology sector. However, the United States does not want to be left behind, so it has dedicated funds and resources in this area.

To talk about the first rare earth mine, we have to go back to the 1970s, when researchers and geologists began drilling at the Brook mine in Wyoming in search of coal. From then until July 11, 2025, there was no hint of success. It was in July when the company Ramaco Resources named the site America’s “buried treasure,” reports LaGranda.

Beneath the coal was discovered a reserve of minerals very useful for the United States. Preliminary studies before drilling pointed to the existence of minerals such as dysprosium, neodymium, and scandium.These are essential minerals in the production of super batteries and in clean energy engineering.

Prior to the discovery of Ramaco, there was a REE (rare earth elements) mine in the United States, Mountain Pass. However, it is now a center for strategic mining. This discovery was made possible through the collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Weir International, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Ramaco Resources.

A drilling requires precise geological knowledge, as at the same time topographic ecosystems are destroyed. That is why adding technology to these processes has facilitated such tasks, favoring the results. The discovery of the Brook mine signifies a before and after, especially for the Chinese competition. Thanks to it, the Defense Production Act has been approved in Congress, which will allocate more than $350 million to rare earths research.

Brook Mine

Located in Wyoming, the Brook mine has marked a turning point in the rare earth mining industry, as well as in the technology market previously dominated by China. Its beginnings date back to the 1970s, when a team of researchers and geologists came together to launch a drilling project at the Brook mine, searching for coal. There were many years of unsuccessful excavation, until last July 2025. Specifically on the 11th, the company currently in charge of drilling, Ramaco Resources, dubbed the area America’s ‘buried treasure.’ After more than 50 years of excavations, they finally discovered a reserve of highly sought-after minerals by the United States.

How was it carried out?

Before carrying out a drilling or excavation, several aspects must be taken into account. On one hand, the economic aspect, for which it is mandatory to conduct a preliminary economic evaluation, which includes the economic analysis of a mine. Logically, this study must be done before launching the project. In the case of the Brook Mine, the study confirmed the presence of the mineral reserves, including dysprosium, neodymium, and scandium. All of these are key materials in the production of super batteries and in clean energy engineering.

The finding would not have been possible without the merger of analysis technology and metallurgy. It was the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Weir International, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Ramaco Resources that collaborated on the project. After the discovery, one of the main rare earth element (REE) treasure mines, Mountain Pass, became a center for strategic mining, no longer being the only site designated for the mining of these treasures.

Geology and science

Geological explorations imply the destruction of major topographical ecosystems. That is why it is essential to carry out mapping work with very precise geological knowledge, in order to achieve the least possible impact and margin of error. Following this discovery, the United States has regained faith in the sector, which is why, after approval in Congress, the Defense Production Act was passed, through which more than $350 million will be allocated for rare earth research in the country.

Will this be the end of China’s leadership in the market?