Rare Earth Minerals Discovered on State-Owned West Texas Ranch

ALPINE, TX — A remote state-owned ranch in Brewster County has been found to contain rare earth minerals.

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) stated that a geological survey of the 353,785-acre property, purchased in late 2024, revealed the presence of rare earth elements. These minerals are essential for manufacturing products ranging from smartphones to missile systems, industries currently reliant on foreign suppliers, according to a report made by The Big Bend Sentinel. 

“Given the rugged terrain and remote location, any exploration or extraction would require significant planning,” a GLO spokesperson told The Big Bend Sentinel. No specific minerals or exact locations were identified, and the agency said it remains open to exploring future development.

Brewster County Judge Greg Henington noted rare earth extraction is unlikely in the near term due to logistical challenges. “If it was, it’s probably years away, just because of the difficulty of getting in there and getting [the minerals] out, and what do you do with them? Who can process them?” Henington told The Big Bend Sentinel.

Interest in rare earth mining is already underway elsewhere in West Texas. In neighboring Hudspeth County, USA Rare Earth is developing the Round Top mine near Sierra Blanca, though that project has faced environmental opposition.

“This is a highly toxic project that uses lots of water and does lots of surface destruction,” environmental activist Bill Addington said, citing concerns over open-pit mining and hazardous chemicals.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Geological Survey continues aerial surveys in the region under its Earth Mapping Resources Initiative to identify additional mineral-rich zones along the igneous belt stretching from Mexico to Colorado.

The Brewster County property is currently used for ranching, grazing and hunting, and local officials said they had not yet been informed about the mineral discovery.

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