Bear Lodge Mine Project Resumed in Wyoming

Rare Element Resources renewed efforts this summer to develop a rare earth mine near the Bear Lodge Mountains.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in National Parks

Wide shot of a large open-pit mine carved into rocky Wyoming mountainsides, with heavy mining equipment visible on the terraced levels. — Rare Element Resources has officially resumed development of its Bear Lodge mine project in northeast Wyoming to extract critical rare earth minerals. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rare Element Resources officially resumed its Bear Lodge mine project in northeast Wyoming during the summer of 2026. The open pit project aims to extract neodymium and praseodymium for military and battery manufacturing.

Why it matters

The company is seeking to fortify the domestic rare earth supply chain by extracting critical minerals essential for advanced technologies. The proposal is currently moving through a federal fast-tracking process to streamline regulatory and environmental reviews.

The proposed open pit mine will reach a depth of 400 feet and is located 12 miles north of Sundance. The project life cycle is slated for 22 years, including final reclamation efforts.

The players

Rare Element Resources

This mining company is leading the efforts to extract critical minerals from the Bear Lodge Mountains.

Synchron

This is a strategic partner working alongside the mining company to restart the extraction project.

The details

The site is located 22 miles from the Devils Tower landmark and has already generated 2,500 public comments during its review process. Rare Element Resources is partnering with Synchron to manage the development, which utilizes a transparency program that bypasses certain local coordination requirements.

Mining project discussions began in 2004.
Original mine plans were drawn in 2014.
A transparency program was created by executive order in March 2025.
The company announced a renewed effort for the project in the summer of 2026.

Roadmap

The project follows a precedent set by the FAST-41 federal permitting process, which is designed to accelerate critical mineral infrastructure development. This strategy highlights an industry-wide push to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains through expedited domestic site approval.

Residents in Sundance and the surrounding area can expect potential long-term local job creation and regional economic investment over the 22-year project duration. The proximity of the mine to recreational landmarks like Devils Tower may influence future environmental oversight and local tourism discussions.

The takeaway

The project highlights the complexity of balancing domestic mineral security with environmental concerns near iconic natural landmarks. Residents should monitor future public comment periods to stay informed about the evolving project scope.