American Rare Earths Launches 2026 Drilling at Halleck Creek to Support Feasibility Study

Event summary

  • American Rare Earths began its 2026 drilling program at the Cowboy State Mine within the Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming on May 13, 2026.
  • The program involves drilling up to 3,050 meters across 19 holes, with core samples to be assayed and retained for further testing.
  • The drilling aims to upgrade the current resource, test mineralization extensions, and provide data for mine design and environmental studies.
  • The program is expected to conclude by mid-July 2026, with results supporting a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).

The big picture

American Rare Earths' drilling program at Halleck Creek is a critical step in advancing what is believed to be the largest known rare earth deposit in the United States. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to reduce U.S. reliance on imported rare earth elements, particularly from China, and supports the growing demand for these critical minerals in defense and advanced technologies. The project's progress will be closely watched as it aims to secure America's critical mineral independence and meet the needs of key industries.

What we're watching

Resource Upgrade
Whether the drilling program will successfully upgrade a majority of tonnes within planned early-mining phases to Measured and Indicated classifications.
Mineralization Extensions
The pace at which extensions of the mineralization at depth and to the west of existing drilling are identified and their potential impact on the project's scale.
Feasibility Study Progress
How the data generated from this drilling campaign will inform the Definitive Feasibility Study and its timeline for completion.

Related topics

Mining