Ramaco Resources broke ground last month on a new coal mine in Sheridan, #Wyoming, the first one in the state in 50 years. By last week, #Ramaco had excavated 100 feet down, exposing a 20-foot wide coal seam, and was holding an official ribbon cutting, with #Energy Secretary Chris Wright and retired West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin in attendance. But despite their shared enthusiasm for fossil fuels, it wasn’t old-fashioned, electricity generating coal that attracted those big shots to the Brook Mine. Ramaco Chairman and CEO Randall Atkins expects the 2.5 million tons of coal he plans to extract over the next 12 months will contain within it some of the world’s most sought-after #rareearth elements and other critical #minerals. Specifically, dysprosium, neodymium, scandium and gallium — vital stuff for making powerful magnets, semiconductors, night-vision goggles, hypersonic missiles, and much more. Keep reading at the link in our bio. (Photo: Louise Johns/Ramaco)