Locals concerned as Trump admin fast-tracks public process for Wyoming rare earth mine
Summary
The U.S. Forest Service started a 30-day public comment period on a rare-earth mining project in northeast Wyoming, which is being fast-tracked by President Donald Trump’s administration. The project aims to mine important minerals used in technology and defense, but locals have concerns about the short review time and environmental impacts.Key Facts
- The mining project is located at Bull Hill in the Black Hills National Forest, near Sundance, Wyoming.
- Rare Earth Resources, a Colorado company, plans to build an open-pit mine and a processing plant nearby.
- The public has only 30 days to review and comment on the federal environmental review, which some locals say is too short.
- The Trump administration is fast-tracking over 50 projects like this under a program called FAST-41 to reduce U.S. reliance on China for rare-earth minerals.
- Rare-earth elements mined include neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, and terbium, which are important for magnets in high-tech and defense equipment.
- President Trump signed an order last year to speed up mineral production using the Defense Production Act.
- Local officials generally support the project but want more information to address their concerns.
- Conservation groups worry about rushing mining projects on national forest land without proper review of environmental impacts.
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