Superior Coal Mine in Rock Springs. Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Archives.

Wyoming Coal

The WSGS has launched a new website on Wyoming’s Coal Resources as a clearing house of information for the public to access, including current production numbers, maps with layers of information and links to all the state’s mines and coal fields (via Interactive Coal Map), as well as educational pages, photos and historical records.

The site will be regularly updated and has a variety of resources on coal and coal mining in the state, a tool for decision makers, members of industry and academia, as well as for students and the public. Learn more.

MS-55

Latest Publication Release

A comprehensive new map by the Wyoming State Geological Survey on oil and natural gas resources in Wyoming covers a range of information – from geology to facilities, production to exportation. The map released in July covers oil and gas extractive activities across the state and is part of the agency’s professional map series.

Using geographic information systems (GIS) technology, the map was generated to illustrate a compilation of information. It includes the boundaries of producing and abandoned oil and gas fields in Wyoming, producing (or produced) formations, dominate age or reservoir rocks, field designations, pipeline sizes and locations, refinery and gas plant locations and capacities, basin locations, as well as illustrates the extent of oil shale-bearing rocks. Learn more.

Our Research

Rare Earth Elements in Wyoming

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a vital resource to industrialized societies worldwide. In all, there are 17 REEs, which are typically found in varying proportions in the same ore deposits. Rare earth metals are used to produce a range of sophisticated technological products such as nuclear reactor components, cell phones, magnets, camera lenses, and batteries. Wyoming hosts at least one major REE deposit with opportunities for further exploration and the potential to contribute to the global market. China is the world’s biggest supplier of rare earth elements; 97 percent of the rare earths on the market come from that country.

According to a U.S. Geological Survey report, the United States has enough REEs in the ground to meet global demand for decades to come. Until recently, when California’s Mountain Pass Mine reopened, few of these minerals were being mined in the United States. Learn more.