American Rare Earths Advances Wyoming Mine Permitting with Groundwater Wells
American Rare Earths has installed groundwater monitoring wells at its Cowboy State Mine, advancing environmental permitting and keeping its rare earth project on track for 2029 production.
- 10 groundwater monitoring wells installed at Cowboy State Mine
- Baseline environmental data collection underway for state mining permit
- Streamlined permitting on Wyoming State land accelerates approval process
- Pre-Feasibility Study scheduled for completion by late 2025
- Project supports U.S. critical minerals supply chain ambitions
Groundwater Monitoring Marks Permitting Progress
American Rare Earths Limited (ASX: ARR) has reached a significant milestone in advancing its Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming, with the successful installation of 10 groundwater monitoring wells at the Cowboy State Mine site. This step is crucial for the environmental permitting process overseen by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), a prerequisite for securing the state mining permit necessary to move the project forward.
The wells will provide baseline hydrological and environmental data over the next 12 months, informing groundwater modelling, mine planning, and the formal mine permit application. This data collection aligns with regulatory guidelines and includes upcoming 24-hour pump testing to assess aquifer characteristics and potential mine dewatering requirements.
Strategic Advantage of State Land Permitting
Located on Wyoming State-managed land, the Cowboy State Mine benefits from a streamlined and more efficient permitting framework compared to projects on federal lands. This regulatory environment offers American Rare Earths a competitive edge in the U.S. rare earth sector, where securing timely approvals can be a significant hurdle.
CEO Chris Gibbs highlighted the importance of this milestone, noting that it validates the company’s strategy to develop on state land and supports the broader goal of establishing a secure and sustainable rare earth supply chain within the United States.
On Track for Pre-Feasibility Study and Production
The company remains on schedule to complete its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) by the end of 2025. This study will incorporate the environmental data collected and provide a detailed assessment of the project’s economic and technical viability. With a JORC Resource of 2.63 billion tonnes, the Halleck Creek Project stands as one of the largest rare earth deposits in the country.
American Rare Earths aims for first production as early as 2029, positioning itself as a key player in reducing U.S. reliance on imported rare earth elements, particularly from China. The project’s potential to support defense, advanced technologies, and economic security underscores its strategic importance.
Environmental Commitment and Future Steps
Alongside permitting progress, the company emphasizes its commitment to environmentally responsible mining practices. It continues to collaborate with U.S. government-supported research programs to develop innovative extraction and processing technologies.
Next steps include ongoing quarterly groundwater sampling, completion of pump testing, and submission of the formal mine permit application in parallel with data collection. These activities will be closely watched by investors and regulators alike as the project advances toward commercialisation.
Bottom Line?
With permitting momentum building, American Rare Earths is poised to strengthen U.S. rare earth supply chains—but regulatory and environmental hurdles remain ahead.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the groundwater data influence the final mine permit approval timeline?
- What are the potential environmental risks identified during monitoring and testing?
- How might evolving U.S. policies on critical minerals impact project development?
