rare earth elements in Wyoming

concLusIon
This investigation confirms REE occurrences in a
variety of geologic settings across Wyoming and
provides a large amount of easily accessible analytical
data through the WSGS’s new on-line database
(Wyo-DOG). Dikes and pods that cut Precambrian
igneous and metamorphic rocks host high REE
concentrations in some areas. Phanerozoic coarsegrained
sandstones and conglomerates, as well as
phosphatic shales and mudstones also host localized
high REE concentrations. No interpretations
resulted from this investigation concerning the
potential for economic development of these occurrences.
However, the information provided to the
public through Wyo-DOG will foster exploration
and lead to greater knowledge and better understanding
of REE and other potentially economic
minerals in Wyoming.
AcknoWLEdGEMEnts
The authors thank the following people and organizations
for their support and contribution throughout
the creation of this report: Rep. Don Burkhart
and the Wyoming State Legislature for initiating
this project and allocating funds for it; State Geologist
and WSGS Director Tom Drean, and Alan Ver
Ploeg and David Lucke for their management oversight;
Kathy Olson for keeping the project on budget
and moving in a forward direction; Scott Parrill
for making WyoDOG a reality—without his help
the completion of this report would not have been
possible; Suzanne Luhr for her hard work and dedication
to editing the various maps in the report;
Chamois Andersen for layout, design and production
of the final report; and to Paula Atkinson and
Curtis McCann for their assistance throughout the
project. Many thanks are given to Judy Sutherland
for her support, field assistance, and endurance for
this long project; Holly Skinner for her ideas and
assistance in the field; Mary Kate McCarney for her
thorough editorial review of the publication; and
for field assistance from, Don and Mary Burkhart,
Deirdre Ratigan, Jerry Tastad, Glenn Laidlaw, and
Tom Dewey. We greatly appreciate the information,
comments, and the map of the Bear Lodge
Mountains supplied by Jim Clark and John Ray of
Rare Element Resources, Inc.
Our thanks also to the following people who allowed
access to several of the sample sites for this
study: Brian Murphy of the Murphy Ranch; Calvin
and Isabel Hoy of the Tea Kettle Ranch Bed and
Breakfast; Daniel Swires of Adventure Stone LLC;
J.D and Lisa Williams; Peter Hansen of the Double
X Ranch; Robert Logan; Ronson Pfister; and True
Ranches LLC.
All maps were compiled using data from the following
sources, Bureau of Land Management, U.S.
Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, and the
Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center.
We appreciate the use of this data.
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