Wyoming’s first new coal mine in decades to extract rare earths

Wyoming’s first new coal mine in 50 years is said to be operating soon but it won’t rely on the fossil fuel to make money.

“Not only do we get coal here, we are going to get those rare earth elements that are going to break our dependence on China,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News from the mine site Friday.

Wright’s involvement underscores President Donald Trump’s determination to advance fossil fuel projects and mining and reverse former President Joe Biden’s moves to support for renewable energy.

Ramaco Resources plans to process the coal to extract rare earth elements it says are present in profitable quantities. Rare earths are a family of 17 metallic elements used in technologies like wind turbines, electric car batteries, and military targeting hardware. China supplies almost 90% of the world’s rare earth elements, and the Trump administration is seeking to encourage more U.S. production.

Intel chops several hundred Bay Area tech jobs as chipmaker retrenches

Intel has disclosed plans to slash more than 400 Bay Area jobs this month, in an ominous sign that some tech companies must navigate a dreary economic landscape.

The semiconductor colossus has revealed a decision to cut 410 jobs in the Bay Area during July, according to official WARN notices that Intel filed with the state Employment Development Department. All of the layoffs will affect people who work at or near the company’s main headquarters complex in Santa Clara.

Intel is far from the only tech company that is eliminating jobs in the Bay Area.

Over the first five months of 2025, the Bay Area lost about 14,000 tech jobs, according to seasonally adjusted industry estimates that Beacon Economics derived from the EDD’s official monthly jobs report.

— Boston Herald Wire Services