Name of the Project
Brook mine rare earths project.

Location
Wyoming, in the US.

Project Owner/s
Metallurgical coal producer Ramaco Resources.

Project Description
The project involves developing a rare earth elements (REE) processing facility at the Brook mine site. A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) published in July 2025 confirmed its technical and economic feasibility.

The project aims to produce up to 1 000 t/y of total rare-earth oxides (TREOs), along with scandium, gallium and germanium oxides, critical minerals essential to its economics over its 42-year design life.

Yearly mine throughput is estimated at 2.62-million tonnes. REEs are mostly found in carbonaceous claystones and shales above and below the coal seams.

Owing to the soft and friable host material, conventional surface mining is feasible. Metallurgical testwork shows high REE extraction rates, with all REEs over 90%, and other critical minerals in the mid-80% range using multistage leaching.

Potential Job Creation
The PEA does not state exact numbers for potential job creation.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The unlevered pretax internal rate of return (IRR) is estimated at 38% under the base case scenario, with a payback of five years.

Capital Expenditure
$579.14-million. The estimated capital cost for the proposed processing facility is $533.1-million, excluding mine-related capital and residue placement.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Project development is progressing, focusing on optimising reagent use, refining process design, and validating key assumptions through further technical and economic studies. An in-house metallurgical lab is being set up to improve turnaround time and data reliability.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Fluor Corporation (PEA) and Hazen Research Inc (metallurgical testing).

Contact Details for Project Information
Ramaco Resources, tel +1 859 244 7455 or email info@ramacometc.com.