Texas Land Commissioner Highlights Rare Earth Deposit's Potential to Fund Schools and Reduce China Reliance
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham (R) has emphasized the significant potential of the Round Top rare earth deposit in Hudspeth County, Texas. This deposit, located on state-owned land, is being positioned as a dual solution to secure essential materials domestically and generate substantial funding for Texas public education. According to Buckingham, the development of Round Top could provide tens of billions of dollars for the Permanent School Fund, which supports K-12 public education, and supply critical minerals for approximately 100 years. The initiative aims to reduce the United States' dependence on China, which currently controls a dominant share of global rare earth refining output. USA Rare Earth, the company involved, is targeting commercial production at Round Top by late 2028, with processing facilities planned in Colorado and a magnet manufacturing facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Buckingham views domestic production of these minerals as a national security priority and is encouraging ...
