The U.S. Forest Service opened a 30-day public comment period in July on a proposed rare-earth element mining project in northeast Wyoming’s Black Hills National Forest, marking the only opportunity for public input on a federally expedited review process. Colorado-based Rare Earth Resources plans to construct an open-pit mine at Bull Hill, located approximately 12 miles northwest of Sundance, with raw materials to be transported to a processing facility near Upton. The compressed timeline for community feedback has drawn concerns from local residents and conservation advocates who characterize the schedule as inadequate for reviewing complex mining proposals and associated environmental documents.
The project is among more than 50 ventures receiving fast-track federal permitting through FAST-41 coverage under the Trump administration’s initiative to address what officials describe as a national security priority. The administration invoked the Defense Production Act to accelerate permitting and financing for domestic mining and processing of rare-earth elements, which are used in military equipment, batteries, and advanced technologies. President Trump issued the Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production executive order to reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese supplies of these critical minerals.
Rare Element Resources characterizes its deposit as having high-grade concentrations of neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, and terbium—elements projected to experience significant demand growth over the next decade. The company states the mine would support 110 permanent jobs and generate more than $75 million in state taxes over its 17-year operational lifespan, with approximately $180 million invested to date and potential expenditures reaching $250 million. General Atomics, a U.S. defense contractor, holds a majority stake in the company.
Local officials acknowledged being caught off guard by the expedited process, with Crook County Commissioner John Davis stating support for the project while noting outstanding questions. Residents and conservationists have raised questions regarding potential impacts to water and air quality, wildlife, and exemptions to existing Black Hills Forest management guidelines. Conservation advocates argue that abbreviated public comment periods on national forest mining projects limit transparency, while company representatives maintain additional opportunities for public participation will occur through other federal and state entities later in the permitting process.
The Bear Lodge project requires the Forest Service to determine whether to authorize deviations from existing visual standards outlined in the Black Hills Forest Plan. The proposal includes access roads, a power line, and support infrastructure, with portions located on adjacent private land. Rare Element Resources submitted its draft mine operations plan to federal officials in July as part of the federal review.
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