Alaska offers a unique chance for the United States to achieve some degree of self-reliance in rare earth elements (REEs). Alaska could be a game-changer in the global supply chain with its rich reserves, including heavy rare-earth elements like dysprosium and yttrium.
The Bokan Mountain deposit, in particular, is recognized as one of the most promising sources of these essential minerals, vital for advanced technologies such as renewable energy systems, electric vehicles and defense applications.
However, the road to harnessing these resources isn’t without challenges. Alaska’s rugged terrain and limited infrastructure raise the costs and difficulty of mining operations. Alaskan residents are willing to confront these obstacles, especially if ecological restrictions are lifted. They yearn to be free to develop the minerals God has put in their state.
Ready to Go
In an op-ed in the July 9, 2025, Wall Street Journal, former Alaska governor and U.S. senator Frank Murkowski (father of current Senator Lisa Murkowski) described the abundance of REs under the ground in Alaska. According to Mr. Murkowski, “Alaska has untapped deposits of these minerals, including tantalum, which could serve as an alternative to Chinese pressure…the Last Frontier has 49 of the 50 minerals now in high demand.”
A Promising Appraisal
In Mr. Murkowski’s account, the only thing preventing the use of those resources today is that “Federal restrictions on access to these lands and permitting requirements are mandated by numerous federal agencies to the point that development hasn’t been allowed to occur.” He concludes, “Alaska has the resources, but America needs the will.”
The former governor notes that the state has all the necessary elements for development. The whole state has been surveyed and continues to be surveyed. Officials know where the minerals are and the approximate concentrations that these deposits contain. Alaska already mines some rare earths according to the highest standards.
Untapped Abundance
In 2012, under the leadership of Commissioner Daniel Sullivan (now U.S. Senator from Alaska), the state’s Department of Natural Resources released a revelatory Fact Sheet about Strategic Minerals.
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“[G]eologists consider Alaska highly prospective for strategic and critical minerals. There are more than 70 known occurrences of rare-earth elements throughout Alaska.”
“Alaska contains one of the most significant REE prospects in the U.S.: the Bokan Mountain/Dotson Ridge property. The property is currently ranked 15th in North America for total tonnage of contained rare earth metal oxides.”
“The State of Alaska has a robust regulatory process which has led to the permitting of six major producing mines in the state, all of which meet or exceed modern standards.”
Artificial Shortages
Commissioner Sullivan’s fact sheet is not mere bureaucratic happy talk. The presence of REEs and other strategic minerals in Alaska has long been established. Uranium mining began there in 1957 and continued until 1971. Over that period, the Cascadia Times reports mines on Bokan Mountain yielded 94,500 tons of uranium ore. The Times reports, “The USGS says rare earth elements are often found alongside radioactive deposits of uranium and thorium.”
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No one doubts that care must be taken to preserve the environment. Alaska has strict rules to ensure this. However, the extent to which federal authorities have gone in Bokan is excessive. The former mining site is located in a 200,000-acre area where road construction is forbidden. Even hiking trails are not allowed. The only way in and out is by helicopter. Protection is one thing, but draconian regulations like this amount to prohibition.
A Worthy Goal, A Difficult Task
The evidence is convincing, and with these available resources, the United States can challenge China as a primary producer of REEs.
Former Governor Murkowski argues that a solution lies in the hands of President Trump working in tandem with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy to put in place policies that will facilitate the development of these vital known resources, especially loosening the unreasonable environmental regulations that shackle the state from producing rare earths. Mr. Trump has already signed an executive order to unlock Alaska’s “extraordinary resource potential” and reverse former President Biden’s economic punishment of the state.
A Wall Street Journal editorial notes, “Progressives want Alaska to be a natural museum untouched by humans. But the people who live in the state know that resource development is compatible with environmental stewardship.”
Photo Credit: © Gregory – stock.adobe.com
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Author: Edwin Benson
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