A proposed rare earth mine in the Bear Lodge Mountains of Wyoming is on hold.
The Bear Lodge sit just north of the Black Hills near the state line. The mining company Rare Element Resources is backing the project. Mine officials say a deposit in the area contains a high volume of minerals needed in the production of batteries and computer components.
But the company asked the Forest Service to put a hold on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement process now underway. Officials with the Black Hills National Forest canceled two public meetings that were planned on the proposal.
It’s not clear when the permitting process could start again.
