Turning Rare Earth Minning Waste into Treasure

PI: Tyler Chandos Brown

Project Name: Uses for Tailings, Byproducts, and Co-products in the Domestic Rare Earth Element Industry

Production of rare earth elements (REEs) in the United States is critical for national security and economic resilience, reducing reliance on foreign supply. This project will identify potential uses of REEs with low profit in byproducts or waste materials that could create new revenue streams or cost offsets.

How this research affects the public

Company Partner 

Problem

Mining for rare earth metals (used in phones and tech) creates a lot of leftover rock waste.

Product/Solution

This project looks for ways to use that "trash" for other things, so it doesn't just sit in a pile.

Wyoming Impact

This makes mining in Wyoming cleaner and more profitable.

company partner:

Wyomign Rare