The Department of the Interior today recognized the Colosseum Mine in California can continue mining operations under its existing mine plan of operations with the Bureau of Land Management.

Earlier this year, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order to make the United States the leading producer and processor of non-fuel minerals, including rare earth minerals. The resumption of mining at Colosseum Mine, America’s second rare earth elements mine, supports efforts to bolster America’s capacity to produce the critical materials needed to manufacture the technologies to power our future. For too long, the United States has depended on foreign adversaries like China for rare earth elements for technologies that are vital to our national security. By recognizing the mine’s continued right to extract and explore rare earth elements, Interior continues to support industries that boost the nation’s economy and protect national security.