This page is to keep you informed about those mining projects which are subject to the Federal Level scoping and permitting processes, comment deadlines, and information.

You can also find a variety of projects on the Black Hills National Forest Service’s webpage – HERE.

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Bear Lodge Rare Earth Project #291093 – Comment Period is now open. Submit your comment today!

BREAKING NEWS!

UPDATE: On July 29, 2026, the Black Hills National Forest announced a comment period for a rare earths mining project proposed by Rare Element Resources Inc (RER). This project is no longer on hold.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENT IS 8/28/2026 11:59:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time).

The Bear Lodge Mountain Range in Wyoming’s Black Hills Region is important to local communities, sacred to indigenous peoples, and the source of water that is the lifeblood for all those who ranch and live downstream. They rely on clean water and land for healthy living, spiritual and cultural practices, recreation, agriculture, and other essential needs.

Rare Element Resources has been exploring for rare earths minerals in the Bear Lodge Mountains north of Sundance, WY, since at least 2004. The project was put on hold in 2016, but is now active again. RER wants to process the rare earths minerals from the mine at a plant in Upton, WY, which would mean transportation of the ore in heavy trucks for 40 miles. Wastes from the mining would include radioactive thorium and uranium.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENT IS 8/28/2026 11:59:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time).

COMMENT ONLINE: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093

SEND WRITTEN COMMENT TO:

Wendy Schuyler, Project Manager
c/o Bearlodge Ranger District
101 S 21st St
P.O. Box 680
Sundance, Wyoming 82729
605-673-9361
wendy.schuyler@usda.gov

READING ROOM: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?Project=291093

To read more about this project, go to: https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/rare-earths/